Blog

When to Plant Kohlrabi in Rich County, UT

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.

Rich County, Utah is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 31 and the first fall frost is September 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 107 days.

At an elevation of 5,803 feet, Rich County receives approximately 18 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Kohlrabi to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Kohlrabi successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Rich County, UT (Zone 4b) Short season
107 days
Last Spring Frost May 31
107 growing days
First Fall Frost September 15

Rich County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 19 Transplant: May 31 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Aug 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 11 Transplant: Jun 22 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Sep 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.

Soil Compatibility in Rich County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“8.2) overlaps with Kohlrabi's range (6.0โ€“7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.1%). Annual compost additions will help Kohlrabi.

How to Plant Kohlrabi

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

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Kohlrabi

2
successive plantings in your 107-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 12 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jun 23.

Plant Water Budget

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

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

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€” 1.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr โ€” 2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
May 3" 1.9" 1.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 3" 1.4" 1.6" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 3" 1.7" 1.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 3" 1.7" 1.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 3" 1.4" 1.6" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Nov โ€” 1.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mayโ€“Sep in Rich 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 ~591 GDD — county provides 1,150 GDD Excellent fit

Kohlrabi Planting Timeline โ€” Rich County, UT

Kohlrabi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ May 3
Transplant Outdoors May 31 May 31 โ€“ Jun 14
Direct Sow May 24 May 24 โ€“ Jun 14
Harvest July 19 Jul 19 โ€“ Aug 23
Fall Sowing June 23 Jun 23 โ€“ Jul 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow Fall Sowing
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: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

107 days in Rich County

Growing Tips for Kohlrabi in Rich County

Direct sow Kohlrabi outdoors after May 31 in Rich 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 Rich County, UT?

Rich County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 31. Plan your Kohlrabi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Rich County, UT?

Rich County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 31 and first fall frost is September 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Rich County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Rich County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.