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When to Plant Kohlrabi in Taylor 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.

Taylor County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.

At an elevation of 2,745 feet, Taylor County receives approximately 53.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kohlrabi during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Kohlrabi root diseases.

Taylor County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Taylor County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jul 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 23

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.

Soil Compatibility in Taylor County

How your county's soil matches Kohlrabi's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5โ€“6.7) overlaps with Kohlrabi's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Taylor County is excellent for Kohlrabi โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). Annual compost additions will help Kohlrabi.

How to Plant Kohlrabi

0.5"
Planting Depth
4"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Kohlrabi

5
successive plantings in your 192-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 20 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 15.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Kohlrabi

Kohlrabi needs approximately 0.7 inches of water per week (3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Kohlrabi Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 4.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 4.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 3" 3.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 3" 4.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 5.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 5.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 4.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3" 3.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov โ€” 3.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 4.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Taylor County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Kohlrabi Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Kohlrabi needs ~962 GDD — county provides 3,360 GDD Excellent fit

Kohlrabi Planting Timeline โ€” Taylor County, KY

Kohlrabi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Mar 25
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ Apr 29
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 22
Harvest June 3 Jun 3 โ€“ Jul 8
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Aug 29

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 โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.7"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

45โ€“65 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

192 days in Taylor County

Growing Tips for Kohlrabi in Taylor County

Direct sow Kohlrabi outdoors after April 15 in Taylor County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 192.0-day season in Taylor County allows multiple plantings of Kohlrabi. Sow every 22.0 days for continuous harvest.

Common pests for Kohlrabi in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Kohlrabi in Taylor County, KY?

Taylor County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Kohlrabi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Taylor County, KY?

Taylor County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Taylor County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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