When to Plant Celeriac in Lyon County, IA
May to-do list for Lyon County, Iowa
May is a pivotal month for Lyon County, Iowa gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
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Set out celeriac seedlings
Frost risk is low now in Lyon County, Iowa. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.
Get ahead of June
- Starting indoors: celeriac
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.
Lyon County, Iowa is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 153 days.
At an elevation of 1,045 feet, Lyon County receives approximately 30.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 80°F, so choose short-season varieties of Celeriac to ensure they mature before fall.
Lyon County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.3-6.8
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Lyon County
How your county's soil matches Celeriac's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.3–6.8) is within Celeriac's preferred range (6.0–7.0).
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Lyon County is excellent for Celeriac — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.6%) — Celeriac will thrive.
How to Plant Celeriac
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 3.9" | 3" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 3.9" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3.9" | 3.7" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 3.9" | 2.7" | 1.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 3.9" | 2.3" | 1.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 3.9" | 2.5" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Lyon 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 Planting Timeline — Lyon County, IA
Celeriac Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 2 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Direct Sow | April 18 | Apr 18 – May 9 |
| Harvest | August 15 | Aug 15 – Sep 19 |
| Fall Sowing | July 24 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Fall Sowing |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.9"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
100–120 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5a
📆 Growing Season
153 days in Lyon County
Growing Tips for Celeriac in Lyon County
Direct sow Celeriac outdoors after May 02 in Lyon 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Celeriac in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Celeriac in Lyon County, IA?
Lyon County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Celeriac planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lyon County, IA?
Lyon County, Iowa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 2.
Your Lyon County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Lyon County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.