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When to Plant Kohlrabi in San Joaquin County, CA

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.

San Joaquin County, California is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 4 and the first fall frost is December 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 305 days.

At an elevation of 220 feet, San Joaquin County receives approximately 15 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kohlrabi during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Kohlrabi successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9a) Year-round
305 days
Last Spring Frost February 4
305 growing days
First Fall Frost December 6

San Joaquin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (231 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 21 Transplant: Jan 18 🍅 Harvest: Mar 8 – Apr 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (221 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 7 Transplant: Feb 4 🍅 Harvest: Mar 25 – Apr 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (205 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: Apr 23 – May 28

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.2″/week
You supply
1.0″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,595 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Kohlrabi needs ~1,086 GDD — county provides 6,043 GDD Excellent fit

Kohlrabi Planting Timeline โ€” San Joaquin County, CA

Kohlrabi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 7 Jan 7 โ€“ Jan 21
Transplant Outdoors February 4 Feb 4 โ€“ Feb 18
Direct Sow January 14 Jan 14 โ€“ Feb 4
Fall Sowing October 11 Oct 11 โ€“ Oct 25
Harvest March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 29

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 4" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Direct Sow
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Harvest
April Harvest
May โ€”
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

45โ€“65 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 9a

Growing Season

305 days

Growing Tips for San Joaquin County

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.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes
  • Strawberries

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Kohlrabi in San Joaquin County, CA?

San Joaquin County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 4. Plan your Kohlrabi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is San Joaquin County, CA?

San Joaquin County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 4 and first fall frost is December 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help San Joaquin County gardeners in Zone 9a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for San Joaquin County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.