Celeriac (Celery Root) in Zone 7a & 7b

Apium graveolens var. rapaceum

Yes, celeriac (celery root) grows in zones 7a and 7b. Start seeds indoors Jan 30–Feb 6 and plant out Mar 27–Apr 3.

When to plant celeriac (celery root) in zone 7b

Zones 7a and 7b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.

Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. It needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.

Start indoorsJan 30–Feb 6
Direct sow / transplant outsideMar 27–Apr 3
Estimated harvestJul 5–Jul 12 (~100 days after transplanting)

Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-1.5 ft.

Plant alongside it in zone 7b

These go outside within two weeks of celeriac (celery root) in zone 7b, so one planting day can cover them.

Celeriac (Celery Root)
Photo: Rasbak via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped.

Celeriac is celery bred in the other direction: same species, but the plant puts its effort into a swollen root instead of stalks. It comes out of the ground looking like a knot of pale roots wrapped round a cricket ball, and once you've peeled it, it tastes like celery that has calmed down. Grated raw into a remoulade or roasted in chunks, it earns its space.

How celeriac (celery root) fits zone 7's season

Zone 7b's frost-free window runs about 198 days, from April 10 to October 25. Celeriac (celery root) needs about 100 days from transplant to first harvest.

Celeriac (Celery Root) planting windows in every zone

Zone 7b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.

ZoneStart indoorsSow or plant outHarvest
3a & 3bMar 21–Mar 28May 16–May 23Aug 24–Aug 31
4a & 4bMar 6–Mar 13May 1–May 8Aug 9–Aug 16
5a & 5bMar 1–Mar 8Apr 26–May 3Aug 4–Aug 11
6a & 6bFeb 14–Feb 21Apr 11–Apr 18Jul 20–Jul 27
7a & 7b (your zone)Jan 30–Feb 6Mar 27–Apr 3Jul 5–Jul 12
8a & 8bJan 14–Jan 21Mar 11–Mar 18Jun 19–Jun 26
9a & 9bDec 7–Dec 14Feb 1–Feb 8May 12–May 19

Harvest dates are about 100 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.

Good companions

No well-established companions for celeriac (celery root).

Where to buy celeriac seeds

True Leaf Market · High Mowing Organic Seeds (each supplier's celeriac seeds)

Varieties we recommend, and where to get them:

See why we recommend these suppliers →

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See it growing

Search YouTube for "growing celeriac (celery root)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)

← Back to the full zone 7b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

Growing Celeriac (Celery Root) in USDA zone 7b

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Growing Celeriac (Celery Root) in USDA zone 7b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.

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