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When to plant Celeriac in Edgar County, IL

Spring Celeriac in Edgar County goes in April 4–April 25, once nighttime temps stop dipping near freezing. A second sowing from August 8 to August 22 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Celeriac in Edgar County, IL

Edgar County, Illinois Zone 6a July

Your July planting checklist for Edgar County, Illinois

Your garden in Edgar County, Illinois is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this July.

Avg. last frost April 18
Avg. first frost October 17
Soil temp (4") 77°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.5 hrs
Coming up in August — start thinking about
  • First harvests: celeriac
  • Fall sowing: celeriac

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Celeriac is a celery relative grown for its knobby, flavorful root rather than its stalks. It has a rich celery flavor and is excellent roasted, mashed, or in soups.

Edgar County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 182 days.

At an elevation of 1,272 feet, Edgar County receives approximately 41.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Celeriac to ensure they mature before fall.

Edgar County, IL (Zone 6a) Moderate season
182 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
182 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Edgar County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Celeriac Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 27 – Aug 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Sep 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Aug 17 – Sep 21

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Edgar County

How your county's soil matches Celeriac's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9–6.8) overlaps with Celeriac's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Edgar County is excellent for Celeriac — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — Celeriac will thrive.

How to Plant Celeriac

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Celeriac Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Celeriac

Celeriac needs approximately 0.9 inches of water per week (3.9" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Celeriac Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.9" 3.8" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
May 3.9" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.9" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 3.8" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3.9" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.9" 3.3" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Edgar County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Celeriac Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Celeriac needs ~1,348 GDD — county provides 2,229 GDD Excellent fit

Celeriac Planting Timeline — Edgar County, IL

Celeriac Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 14 Mar 14 – Mar 28
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 – May 2
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 – Apr 25
Harvest August 1 Aug 1 – Sep 5
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 – Aug 22

Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors
June
July
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Harvest
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.9"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

100–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

182 days in Edgar County

Growing Tips for Celeriac in Edgar County

Direct sow Celeriac outdoors after April 18 in Edgar County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Celeriac in this region include carrot rust fly and parsleyworm. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost. Remove side roots as they develop to encourage a single large bulb. Harvest after a light frost for best flavor.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Carrots
  • Parsnip

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Celeriac in Edgar County, IL?

Edgar County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Celeriac planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Edgar County, IL?

Edgar County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 17.

When should I plant Celeriac in Edgar County, IL?

In Edgar County, IL, plant Celeriac after the last frost (around April 18) and before the first frost (around October 17). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Edgar County, IL for Celeriac?

Edgar County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Celeriac grows reliably in zones 3a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Celeriac grow in Edgar County's climate?

Yes — Celeriac grows well in Edgar County's temperate climate. Edgar County averages a 182-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 18 and first frost around October 17.

🌱

Your Edgar County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Edgar County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Edgar County, IL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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