Blog

When to Plant Celeriac in Madison County, NY

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.

Madison County, New York is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 155 days.

At an elevation of 420 feet, Madison County receives approximately 48.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Celeriac during the growing season.

Madison County, NY (Zone 5b) Moderate season
155 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
155 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Madison County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.3

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 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Celeriac Planting Timeline — Madison County, NY

Celeriac Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 5 Apr 5 – Apr 19
Transplant Outdoors May 10 May 10 – May 24
Direct Sow April 26 Apr 26 – May 17
Harvest August 23 Aug 23 – Sep 27
Fall Sowing August 3 Aug 3 – Aug 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors 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 5b

📆 Growing Season

155 days in Madison County

Growing Tips for Madison 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 Madison County, NY?

Madison County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Celeriac planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Madison County, NY?

Madison County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 12.

🌱

Your Madison County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Madison County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Madison County, NY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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