When to plant celeriac in Columbus, Ohio

April 20 – May 4

Transplant outdoors · typical Columbus year

Climate basis: NOAA station Columbus Wcmh, OH (USC00331785), 4 mi (7 km) from downtown Columbus (ZCTA 43215 centroid), elevation 740 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 20). One year in ten still freezes after May 7.

Last spring freezeApril 201-in-10 after May 7
First fall freezeOctober 241-in-10 before Oct 13
Frost-free season185 daysmedian at 32°F
Hard freeze, 28°Apr 8Nov 3kills even hardy greens
USDA zone6b-5 to 0°F winter low not frost timing

The Columbus year

Start seeds indoorsFeb 9 – Feb 23
Transplant outdoorsApr 20 – May 4
  • indoors under lights
  • in the garden
  • frost-free season
  • 1-in-10 years still freeze to May 7
Celeriac in Columbus · freeze context from Columbus Wcmh, OH, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Feb 9 – Feb 23

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 20). University of California Cooperative Extension, UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County

Transplant outdoors

Apr 20 – May 4

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 20). 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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