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When to plant Celeriac in Lucas County, IA

Plant Celeriac in Lucas County after April 21; the prime window is April 7–April 28. A second sowing from August 4 to August 18 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Celeriac in Lucas County, IA

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.

Lucas County, Iowa is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 638 feet, Lucas County receives approximately 41.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Celeriac during the growing season.

Lucas County, IA (Zone 5b) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13

Lucas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Celeriac Planting Timeline — Lucas County, IA

Celeriac Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 17 Mar 17 – Mar 31
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 – May 5
Direct Sow April 7 Apr 7 – Apr 28
Harvest August 4 Aug 4 – Sep 8
Fall Sowing August 4 Aug 4 – Aug 18

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

High — keep soil consistently moist

📅 Days to Maturity

100–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

175 days in Lucas County

Growing Tips for Lucas County

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 Lucas County, IA?

Lucas County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Celeriac planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lucas County, IA?

Lucas County, Iowa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 13.

When should I plant Celeriac in Lucas County, IA?

In Lucas County, IA, plant Celeriac after the last frost (around April 21) and before the first frost (around October 13). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Lucas County, IA for Celeriac?

Lucas County sits in USDA Zone 5b. Celeriac grows reliably in zones 3a through 9b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Celeriac grow in Lucas County's climate?

Yes — Celeriac grows well in Lucas County's temperate climate. Lucas County averages a 175-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 21 and first frost around October 13.

🌱

Your Lucas County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Lucas County (Zone 5b). 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 Lucas County, IA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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