When to Plant Celeriac: Spring and Fall Timing for Every Climate

Celeriac is a long-season, cool-weather crop, and in my experience, planting at the right time makes all the difference between small, woody roots and big, tender, flavorful ones. After years of growing celeriac in Sonoma Valley—and speaking with gardeners in a wide range of climates—I’ve learned that timing is less about the calendar and more about making sure celeriac does its growing in consistently cool conditions.

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Spring Planting: The Most Reliable Window

In mild-winter climates like mine, spring planting is the safest approach. I start celeriac indoors in mid- to late winter, about 10–12 weeks before my last expected frost. That gives seedlings time to establish indoors before moving to the garden when frosts are past and days are warming but still cool.

Celeriac needs 90–120 days of steady growth to form a full-sized root. The goal is to have the plant develop most of that root before high summer heat hits. In years when spring warms too quickly, I’ve noticed celeriac stalls—roots stay small and flavor suffers. Planting early enough to stay ahead of heat is essential.

Planting in Cold-Winter Climates

If you garden in a colder region, you’ll want to start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before the last frost, then transplant once nights stay consistently above freezing. In most places, this means setting celeriac out in late spring. Celeriac tolerates cool weather well, but it does not appreciate frost on tender seedlings.

Gardeners in northern climates often get excellent results because summer temperatures stay moderate, which is exactly what celeriac needs.

Fall Planting: Ideal for Mild and Coastal Climates

In the mild parts of California and other coastal climates, fall is actually one of my favorite times to grow celeriac. I sow seeds indoors in late summer and transplant early in fall. Plants then bulk up through the cool days of autumn and early winter.

Fall-grown celeriac often has superior flavor and better texture in my garden. The roots don’t rush, and the cooler days help produce a smoother bulb.

Heat Is the Enemy; Cool Is the Ally

Across all climates, the rule I’ve learned is simple:
Celeriac needs cool weather during its major growth period.
When temperatures consistently rise above the mid-80s, roots stop sizing up and quality declines. Planning your planting so the crop matures in cool weather is the key to success.

Quick Climate Guide

Mild-winter climates: Start indoors late winter; transplant early spring or grow a fall crop.
Cold-winter climates: Start indoors before last frost; transplant late spring; harvest before hard freezes.
Hot-summer climates: Prioritize early spring planting or fall planting for best results.

Bottom Line

Celeriac rewards gardeners who time their planting to match cool conditions. Give it a long, steady cool season, and you’ll harvest large, aromatic roots perfect for winter cooking.