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When to Plant Kohlrabi in Martin County, KY

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.

Martin County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 1,188 feet, Martin County receives approximately 51.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kohlrabi during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Kohlrabi root diseases.

Martin County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Martin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Jul 26

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Kohlrabi needs ~839 GDD — county provides 2,958 GDD Excellent fit

Kohlrabi Planting Timeline โ€” Martin County, KY

Kohlrabi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 1
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 โ€“ Jul 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
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 6b

Growing Season

194 days

Growing Tips for Martin 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Kohlrabi in Martin County, KY?

Martin County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Kohlrabi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Martin County, KY?

Martin County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Martin County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Martin County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.