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When to Plant Kohlrabi in Russell 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.

Russell County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 185 days.

At an elevation of 1,514 feet, Russell County receives approximately 47.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kohlrabi during the growing season.

Russell County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
185 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
185 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Russell County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jul 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 1

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 ~921 GDD — county provides 3,098 GDD Excellent fit

Kohlrabi Planting Timeline โ€” Russell County, KY

Kohlrabi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Mar 28
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 2
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Aug 25
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Jul 11

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 Transplant Outdoors
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
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

185 days

Growing Tips for Russell 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 Russell County, KY?

Russell County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Kohlrabi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Russell County, KY?

Russell County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 20.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Russell 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 Russell County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.