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When to plant Celeriac in Smith County County,

The best window to plant Celeriac in Smith County County, is April 9–April 30, when soil warms to 50°F. Last frost typically hits April 23; first frost October 14. A second sowing from August 5 to August 19 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Celeriac in Smith County, KS

Smith County, Kansas Zone 6a June

What to do in June

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost April 23
Avg. first frost October 14
Soil temp (4") 68°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.8 hrs

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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.

Smith County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 1,048 feet, Smith County receives approximately 26.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Celeriac to ensure they mature before fall.

Smith County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14

Smith County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Celeriac Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Sep 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (34 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Sep 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Aug 23 – Sep 27

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 Smith County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.3) overlaps with Celeriac's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Celeriac is a heavy drinker but your soil drains very quickly. Mulch heavily and consider drip irrigation.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.4%). Annual compost additions will help Celeriac.

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 999 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 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.9" 2.6" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
May 3.9" 3.7" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3.9" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 3" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Aug 3.9" 3.4" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3.9" 2.3" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.9" 1.9" 2" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Smith 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 ~1,430 GDD — county provides 2,262 GDD Excellent fit

Celeriac Planting Timeline — Smith County, KS

Celeriac Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 19 Mar 19 – Apr 2
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 – May 7
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 – Apr 30
Harvest August 6 Aug 6 – Sep 10
Fall Sowing August 5 Aug 5 – Aug 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors 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 · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

100–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

174 days in Smith County

Growing Tips for Celeriac in Smith County

Direct sow Celeriac outdoors after April 23 in Smith 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 Smith County, KS?

Smith County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Celeriac planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Smith County, KS?

Smith County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 14.

When should I plant Celeriac in Smith County, ?

In Smith County, , plant Celeriac after the last frost (around April 23) and before the first frost (around October 14). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Smith County, for Celeriac?

Smith 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 Smith County's climate?

Yes — Celeriac grows well in Smith County's temperate climate. Smith County averages a 174-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 23 and first frost around October 14.

🌱

Your Smith County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Smith 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 Smith County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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