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When to Plant Kohlrabi in Bath County, VA

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.

Bath County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 184 days.

At an elevation of 1,005 feet, Bath County receives approximately 43.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Kohlrabi during the growing season.

Bath County, VA (Zone 6a) Moderate season
184 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
184 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Bath County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jul 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 6

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Kohlrabi needs ~921 GDD — county provides 3,082 GDD Excellent fit

Kohlrabi Planting Timeline โ€” Bath County, VA

Kohlrabi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 17 Mar 17 โ€“ Mar 31
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 5
Direct Sow April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 28
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27
Harvest June 9 Jun 9 โ€“ Jul 14

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 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 6a

Growing Season

184 days

Growing Tips for Bath 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 Bath County, VA?

Bath County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Kohlrabi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bath County, VA?

Bath County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bath County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Bath County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.