When to plant celeriac in Cincinnati, Ohio

April 16 – April 30

Transplant outdoors · typical Cincinnati year

Climate basis: NOAA station Cincinnati Lunken AP, OH (USW00093812), 5 mi (7 km) from downtown Cincinnati (ZCTA 45202 centroid), elevation 490 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant celeriac outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (April 16). One year in ten still freezes after May 3.

Last spring freezeApril 161-in-10 after May 3
First fall freezeOctober 251-in-10 before Oct 12
Frost-free season190 daysmedian at 32°F
Hard freeze, 28°Apr 2Nov 4kills even hardy greens
USDA zone6b-5 to 0°F winter low not frost timing

The Cincinnati year

Start seeds indoorsFeb 5 – Feb 19
Transplant outdoorsApr 16 – Apr 30
  • indoors under lights
  • in the garden
  • frost-free season
  • 1-in-10 years still freeze to May 3
Celeriac in Cincinnati · freeze context from Cincinnati Lunken AP, OH, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Feb 5 – Feb 19

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 (Apr 16). University of California Cooperative Extension, UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County

Transplant outdoors

Apr 16 – Apr 30

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 (Apr 16). 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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