Blog

When to Plant Kohlrabi in Grant County, OR

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.

Grant County, Oregon is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 6 and the first fall frost is September 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 96 days.

At an elevation of 2,838 feet, Grant County receives approximately 22.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Kohlrabi to ensure they mature before fall.

Grant County, OR (Zone 5b) Very short season
96 days
Last Spring Frost June 6
96 growing days
First Fall Frost September 10

Grant County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (4 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 15 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Aug 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 2 Transplant: Jun 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Aug 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 22 Transplant: Jun 26 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Sep 18

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 Grant County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4โ€“6.4) is more acidic than Kohlrabi prefers (6.0โ€“7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Kohlrabi.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) โ€” Kohlrabi will thrive.

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

2
successive plantings in your 96-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 07 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 02.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/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€” 3.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 2.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May โ€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Jun 3" 0.8" 2.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 3" 0.4" 2.6" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 3" 0.4" 2.6" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Sep 3" 0.9" 2.1" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct โ€” 1.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 3.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 3.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Junโ€“Sep in Grant 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 ~674 GDD — county provides 1,176 GDD Excellent fit

Kohlrabi Planting Timeline โ€” Grant County, OR

Kohlrabi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 16
Transplant Outdoors June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Jun 20
Direct Sow May 23 May 23 โ€“ Jun 13
Harvest July 25 Jul 25 โ€“ Aug 29
Fall Sowing July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Jul 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

96 days in Grant County

Growing Tips for Kohlrabi in Grant County

Direct sow Kohlrabi outdoors after June 06 in Grant County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Grant County, OR?

Grant County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of June 6. Plan your Kohlrabi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grant County, OR?

Grant County, Oregon is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 6 and first fall frost is September 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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