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When to Plant Celeriac in Cochran County, TX

Cochran County, Texas Zone 7b May

This month in Cochran County, Texas

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Cochran County, Texas this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 14
Avg. first frost October 27
Soil temp (4") 57°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.7 hrs
  1. Begin indoor sowing: celeriac

    A seed-starting mix and a sunny window (or a grow light) are all you need. Keep soil warm — around 70°F — for fast germination.

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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.

Cochran County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.

At an elevation of 4,553 feet, Cochran County receives approximately 45.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 98°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.

Cochran County, TX (Zone 7b) Moderate season
196 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
196 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Cochran County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.5-8.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Aug 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (56 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Aug 12 – Sep 16

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 Cochran County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.5–8.5) is more alkaline than Celeriac prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Cochran County 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 low (1.0%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting 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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.9" 1.6" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
May 3.9" 1.2" 2.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 3.9" 1.7" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 3.9" 7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.9" 8.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.9" 6.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.9" 3.7" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Cochran 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 needs ~2,585 GDD — county provides 4,606 GDD Excellent fit

Celeriac Planting Timeline — Cochran County, TX

Celeriac Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 – Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 – Apr 28
Direct Sow March 31 Mar 31 – Apr 21
Harvest July 28 Jul 28 – Sep 1
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 – Sep 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

196 days in Cochran County

Growing Tips for Celeriac in Cochran County

Direct sow Celeriac outdoors after April 14 in Cochran County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Cochran County 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 98°F in Cochran County, 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

  • Carrots
  • Parsnip

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Celeriac in Cochran County, TX?

Cochran County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Celeriac planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cochran County, TX?

Cochran County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 27.

🌱

Your Cochran County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Cochran County (Zone 7b). 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 Cochran County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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