When to Plant Celeriac in St. Landry Parish, LA
Your May planting checklist for St. Landry Parish, Louisiana
Each item below is timed to St. Landry Parish, Louisiana's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
- First harvests: 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.
St. Landry Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 19 and the first fall frost is December 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 285 days.
At an elevation of 370 feet, St. Landry Parish receives approximately 59.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 97°F, so Celeriac may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Celeriac will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Celeriac root diseases.
St. Landry Parish Soil Profile
Soil Type
Sandy Loam
Soil pH
4.8-6
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 St. Landry Parish
How your county's soil matches Celeriac's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (4.8–6.0) is more acidic than Celeriac prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
Sandy soil in St. Landry Parish warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Celeriac will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Celeriac.
How to Plant Celeriac
Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 4.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | 3.9" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Mar | 3.9" | 6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 3.9" | 4.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 3.9" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3.9" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3.9" | 7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3.9" | 6.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3.9" | 4.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 3.9" | 4.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | 3.9" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | 3.9" | 5.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in St. Landry 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 Planting Timeline — St. Landry Parish, LA
Celeriac Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | January 22 | Jan 22 – Feb 5 |
| Transplant Outdoors | February 19 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 |
| Direct Sow | January 29 | Jan 29 – Feb 19 |
| Harvest | June 4 | Jun 4 – Jul 9 |
| Fall Sowing | October 6 | Oct 6 – Oct 20 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| February | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| March | Transplant Outdoors |
| April | — |
| May | — |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | Fall Sowing |
| 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: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 9a
📆 Growing Season
285 days in St. Landry Parish
Growing Tips for Celeriac in St. Landry Parish
Direct sow Celeriac outdoors after February 19 in St. Landry Parish when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Sandy soil in St. Landry Parish dries quickly — mulch Celeriac with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.
With summer highs reaching 97°F in St. Landry Parish, provide afternoon shade for Celeriac and water deeply in the morning.
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 St. Landry Parish, LA?
St. Landry Parish is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 19. Plan your Celeriac planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is St. Landry Parish, LA?
St. Landry Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 19 and first fall frost is December 1.
Your St. Landry Parish Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for St. Landry Parish (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.