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When to Plant Celeriac in Thurston County, NE

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.

Thurston County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 165 days.

At an elevation of 584 feet, Thurston County receives approximately 31.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Celeriac during the growing season.

Thurston County, NE (Zone 5a) Moderate season
165 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
165 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Thurston County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Celeriac

Celeriac needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Celeriac Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Thurston County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Celeriac Planting Timeline — Thurston County, NE

Celeriac Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 24 Mar 24 – Apr 7
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 – May 12
Direct Sow April 14 Apr 14 – May 5
Harvest August 11 Aug 11 – Sep 15
Fall Sowing August 1 Aug 1 – Aug 15

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 Direct Sow
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 5a

📆 Growing Season

165 days in Thurston County

Growing Tips for Thurston 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 Thurston County, NE?

Thurston County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Celeriac planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Thurston County, NE?

Thurston County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 10.

🌱

Your Thurston County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Thurston 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.

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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 Thurston County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.