PlantingWindowThe American Planting Almanac

When to plant celeriac in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

April 26 – May 10

Transplant outdoors · typical Milwaukee year

Climate basis: NOAA station West Allis, WI (USC00479046), 6 mi (10 km) from downtown Milwaukee (ZCTA 53202 centroid), elevation 723 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 26). One year in ten still freezes after May 12.

Last spring freezeApril 261-in-10 after May 12
First fall freezeOctober 221-in-10 before Oct 7
Frost-free season≈ 177 daysmedian at 32°F
Hard freeze, 28°Apr 14 – Nov 1kills even hardy greens
USDA zone6a-10 to -5°F winter low — not frost timing

The Milwaukee year

Start seeds indoorsFeb 15 – Mar 1
Transplant outdoorsApr 26 – May 10
  • indoors under lights
  • in the garden
  • frost-free season
  • 1-in-10 years still freeze to May 12
Celeriac in Milwaukee · freeze context from West Allis, WI, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Feb 15 – Mar 1

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

Transplant outdoors

Apr 26 – May 10

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 26). 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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