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When to Plant Celeriac in LaSalle Parish, LA

LaSalle Parish, Louisiana Zone 8b May

May in LaSalle Parish, Louisiana — your action list

May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in LaSalle Parish, Louisiana.

Avg. last frost March 2
Avg. first frost November 19
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
Coming up in June — start thinking about
  • First harvests: 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.

LaSalle Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 2 and the first fall frost is November 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 262 days.

At an elevation of 262 feet, LaSalle Parish receives approximately 52.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Celeriac may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Celeriac root diseases.

LaSalle Parish, LA (Zone 8b) Long season
262 days
Last Spring Frost March 2
262 growing days
First Fall Frost November 19

LaSalle Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 16 Transplant: Feb 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (122 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 26 Transplant: Mar 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Jul 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 14 Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 8

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 LaSalle Parish

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.2) overlaps with Celeriac's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). 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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.9″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 147 gal / 100 sq ft

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 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.9" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3.9" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3.9" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.9" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.9" 5.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.9" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.9" 3.5" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.9" 3.6" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in LaSalle Parish). 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 ~2,338 GDD — county provides 5,567 GDD Excellent fit

Celeriac Planting Timeline — LaSalle Parish, LA

Celeriac Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 26 Jan 26 – Feb 9
Transplant Outdoors March 2 Mar 2 – Mar 16
Direct Sow February 16 Feb 16 – Mar 9
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 – Jul 20
Fall Sowing September 10 Sep 10 – Sep 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
September Fall Sowing
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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

262 days in LaSalle Parish

Growing Tips for Celeriac in LaSalle Parish

Direct sow Celeriac outdoors after March 02 in LaSalle Parish 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 LaSalle Parish, LA?

LaSalle Parish is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 2. Plan your Celeriac planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is LaSalle Parish, LA?

LaSalle Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 2 and first fall frost is November 19.

🌱

Your LaSalle Parish Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for LaSalle Parish (Zone 8b). 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 LaSalle Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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