When to plant celeriac in Syracuse, New York

April 29 – May 13

Transplant outdoors · typical Syracuse year

Climate basis: NOAA station Syracuse Hancock INTL AP, NY (USW00014771), 5 mi (8 km) from downtown Syracuse (ZCTA 13202 centroid), elevation 413 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 29). One year in ten still freezes after May 13.

Last spring freezeApril 291-in-10 after May 13

First fall freezeOctober 191-in-10 before Oct 2

Frost-free season≈ 173 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Apr 16 – Nov 2kills even hardy greens

USDA zone6a-10 to -5°F winter low — not frost timing

The Syracuse year

Start seeds indoorsFeb 18 – Mar 4

Transplant outdoorsApr 29 – May 13

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to May 13

Celeriac in Syracuse · freeze context from Syracuse Hancock INTL AP, NY, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Feb 18 – Mar 4

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

Transplant outdoors

Apr 29 – May 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 (Apr 29). 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)

University of California Cooperative Extension, UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County: Celeriac (accessed 2026-07-25)
"Sow seed indoors as early as 10 weeks before the average last frost date in spring."

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