When to Plant Celeriac in Lackawanna County, PA
Your May gardening checklist
Here's what deserves your attention in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 6b and timed around your local frost dates.
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Harden off and plant celeriac
Pinch off the lowest leaves on each seedling before you plant — it reduces water loss while the roots catch up.
June prep starts now
- Starting indoors: 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.
Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 162 days.
At an elevation of 184 feet, Lackawanna County receives approximately 48.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Celeriac to ensure they mature before fall.
Lackawanna County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.2-6.3
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 Lackawanna County
How your county's soil matches Celeriac's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.2–6.3) is more acidic than Celeriac prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Lackawanna County is excellent for Celeriac — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.7%). Annual compost additions will help Celeriac.
How to Plant Celeriac
Fall planting: Sow 10 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 | — | 3.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 3.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 3.9" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3.9" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3.9" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3.9" | 4.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3.9" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 3.9" | 3.8" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 4.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Lackawanna 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 Planting Timeline — Lackawanna County, PA
Celeriac Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 2 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Direct Sow | April 18 | Apr 18 – May 9 |
| Harvest | August 15 | Aug 15 – Sep 19 |
| Fall Sowing | August 2 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| 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
0.9"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
100–120 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6b
📆 Growing Season
162 days in Lackawanna County
Growing Tips for Celeriac in Lackawanna County
Direct sow Celeriac outdoors after May 02 in Lackawanna 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Celeriac in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Celeriac in Lackawanna County, PA?
Lackawanna County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Celeriac planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lackawanna County, PA?
Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 11.
Your Lackawanna County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Lackawanna County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.