Kohlrabi Planting Guide
Kohlrabi is an unusual brassica that forms a swollen stem above ground with a mild, sweet turnip-like flavor. Both the bulb and tender leaves are edible.
Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes · Vegetable · Brassicaceae family · 45–65 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Kohlrabi Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Kohlrabi?
Kohlrabi Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Kohlrabi planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2a | Apr 18 | May 23 | May 30 | Jul 18 – Aug 22 |
| Zone 2b | Apr 10 | May 15 | May 22 | Jul 10 – Aug 14 |
| Zone 3a | Apr 3 | May 8 | May 15 | Jul 3 – Aug 7 |
| Zone 3b | Mar 29 | May 3 | May 10 | Jun 28 – Aug 2 |
| Zone 4a | Mar 25 | Apr 29 | May 6 | Jun 24 – Jul 29 |
| Zone 4b | Mar 20 | Apr 24 | May 1 | Jun 19 – Jul 24 |
| Zone 5a | Mar 21 | Apr 11 | Apr 25 | Jun 13 – Jul 18 |
| Zone 5b | Mar 14 | Apr 4 | Apr 18 | Jun 6 – Jul 11 |
| Zone 6a | Mar 6 | Mar 27 | Apr 10 | May 29 – Jul 3 |
| Zone 6b | Feb 27 | Mar 20 | Apr 3 | May 22 – Jun 26 |
| Zone 7a | Feb 18 | Mar 11 | Mar 25 | May 13 – Jun 17 |
| Zone 7b | Feb 11 | Mar 4 | Mar 18 | May 6 – Jun 10 |
| Zone 8a | Feb 1 | Feb 22 | Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 31 |
| Zone 8b | Jan 21 | Feb 11 | Feb 25 | Apr 15 – May 20 |
| Zone 9a | Jan 13 | Jan 20 | Feb 10 | Mar 31 – May 5 |
| Zone 9b | Dec 28 | Jan 4 | Jan 25 | Mar 15 – Apr 19 |
| Zone 10a | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 19 – Mar 26 |
| Zone 10b | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 19 – Mar 26 |
| Zone 11a | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 19 – Mar 26 |
| Zone 11b | Dec 4 | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Feb 19 – Mar 26 |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Transplant shows "—" because Kohlrabi is best direct sown where it will grow. Transplanting can disturb the roots and slow growth.
How to Plant Kohlrabi
🍂 Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
6 – 7.5
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 2a – 11b
📅 Days to Maturity
45–65 days
Quick-growing crop. Multiple plantings per season are possible.
👪 Plant Family
Brassicaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Brassicaceae family crops grew last year.
Succession Planting Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi matures in just 45–65 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 4 successive plantings by sowing every 5.1 weeks.
Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.
Companion Planting for Kohlrabi
✅ Good Companions
❌ Keep Away From
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Kohlrabi
Direct sow in spring or fall. Harvest when bulbs are 2-3 inches in diameter for best texture and flavor. Larger bulbs may become woody and fibrous.
Saving Kohlrabi Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Level Up Your Garden
Kohlrabi by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Kohlrabi?
Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes) takes 45 to 65 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Kohlrabi grow in?
Kohlrabi can be grown in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Kohlrabi need?
Growing Kohlrabi requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.5.