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When to Plant Kohlrabi in Norman County, MN

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.

Norman County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 144 days.

At an elevation of 1,086 feet, Norman County receives approximately 38.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 78ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Kohlrabi to ensure they mature before fall.

Norman County, MN (Zone 3b) Short season
144 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
144 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1

Norman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Jul 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 10 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Aug 14

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
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 238 gal / 100 sq ft
Kohlrabi needs ~468 GDD — county provides 1,224 GDD Excellent fit

Kohlrabi Planting Timeline โ€” Norman County, MN

Kohlrabi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 12
Transplant Outdoors May 10 May 10 โ€“ May 24
Direct Sow May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 24
Fall Sowing July 9 Jul 9 โ€“ Jul 23
Harvest June 28 Jun 28 โ€“ Aug 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
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 3b

Growing Season

144 days

Growing Tips for Norman 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 Norman County, MN?

Norman County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Kohlrabi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Norman County, MN?

Norman County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Norman County gardeners in Zone 3b 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 Norman County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.