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Can You Grow Celeriac in Illinois?

US · USDA Zone 5b · zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a

Grows well here

Celeriac can work in your zone with an early indoor start — it needs all the growing season you have.

Plant zones

3a–9b

Illinois last frost

early April

Illinois first frost

late October

Days to harvest

110–120 days

When to plant Celeriacs in Illinois

Start indoors

Jan 26

Transplant

Apr 7

Harvest

Jul 26 – Aug 5

Dates are approximate, based on Illinois's average frost dates. Your exact yard may vary by microclimate.

About Celeriac

Celeriac (celery root) is a rewarding but demanding crop with a long growing season. The knobbly root has a mild celery-like flavor and stores well all winter.

Start indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost — one of the earliest indoor starts of the season. Transplant after all frost risk. Keep consistently moist. Trim side roots as bulb develops. Harvest before hard freeze.

Full celeriac growing guide →

Gardening in Illinois

Illinois has a humid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. Chicago is Zone 5b-6a; southern Illinois is warmer at Zone 6-7. Classic Midwest growing region.