When to plant celeriac in Charlotte, North Carolina

March 30 – April 13

Transplant outdoors · typical Charlotte year

Climate basis: NOAA station Charlotte Douglas AP, NC (USW00013881), 6 mi (10 km) from downtown Charlotte (ZCTA 28202 centroid), elevation 728 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant celeriac outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (March 30). One year in ten still freezes after April 14.

Last spring freezeMarch 301-in-10 after Apr 14
First fall freezeNovember 31-in-10 before Oct 22
Frost-free season221 daysmedian at 32°F
Hard freeze, 28°Mar 17Nov 14kills even hardy greens
USDA zone8a10 to 15°F winter low not frost timing

The Charlotte year

Start seeds indoorsJan 19 – Feb 2
Transplant outdoorsMar 30 – Apr 13
  • indoors under lights
  • in the garden
  • frost-free season
  • 1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 14
Celeriac in Charlotte · freeze context from Charlotte Douglas AP, NC, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Jan 19 – Feb 2

The UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County (University of California Cooperative Extension) says to "Sow seed indoors as early as 10 weeks before the average last frost date in spring," so the sowing span opens ten weeks before the last frost and runs two weeks; no competing extension figure was found, so this stands without reconciliation. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Mar 30). University of California Cooperative Extension, UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County

Transplant outdoors

Mar 30 – Apr 13

The same UC Master Gardener page states plants "can go into the garden 10-12 in. apart on the average date of last frost," a point rule that opens a 14-day transplanting span at the last frost date; the page's alternative air- and soil-temperature condition is not frost-anchored and was therefore not encoded. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Mar 30). University of California Cooperative Extension, UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County

Variety assumption: Assumes a standard 100-to-120-day celeriac variety grown from transplants; germination is slow, so the long indoor lead time is part of the published rule rather than an added buffer.

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:
Crop rule sources (1)

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