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When to Plant Kohlrabi in Gage County, NE

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.

Gage County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 173 days.

At an elevation of 896 feet, Gage County receives approximately 23.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Kohlrabi to ensure they mature before fall.

Gage County, NE (Zone 5b) Moderate season
173 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
173 growing days
First Fall Frost October 12

Gage 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 (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (93 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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,348 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Kohlrabi needs ~715 GDD — county provides 2,249 GDD Excellent fit

Kohlrabi Planting Timeline โ€” Gage County, NE

Kohlrabi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 1
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 6
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 29
Fall Sowing August 3 Aug 3 โ€“ Aug 17
Harvest June 10 Jun 10 โ€“ Jul 15

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 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 5b

Growing Season

173 days

Growing Tips for Gage 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 Gage County, NE?

Gage County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Kohlrabi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gage County, NE?

Gage County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Gage County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Gage County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.