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When to Plant Kohlrabi in Montezuma County, CO

Montezuma County, Colorado Zone 7a May

This month in Montezuma County, Colorado

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost May 27
Avg. first frost September 27
Soil temp (4") 34°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Time to transplant kohlrabi

    Water the tray well an hour before you transplant. Roots slide out cleanly and settle in faster.

  2. Put kohlrabi seeds straight in the ground

    These tolerate cool soil, so you're not gambling by sowing now.

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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.

Montezuma County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 27 and the first fall frost is September 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 123 days.

At an elevation of 8,063 feet, Montezuma County receives approximately 15.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, 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.

Montezuma County, CO (Zone 7a) Short season
123 days
Last Spring Frost May 27
123 growing days
First Fall Frost September 27
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Montezuma County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 14 Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Aug 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 22 Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Aug 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 9 Transplant: Jun 13 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Sep 5

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 Montezuma County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–7.7) overlaps with Kohlrabi's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Montezuma County is excellent for Kohlrabi — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Kohlrabi.

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

3
successive plantings in your 123-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 24 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 19.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 238 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3" 1.8" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3" 1.1" 1.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 3" 1.3" 1.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 3" 1.6" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3" 1.3" 1.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Montezuma County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — 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" — every day above 50°F 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 ~715 GDD — county provides 1,599 GDD Excellent fit

Kohlrabi Planting Timeline — Montezuma County, CO

Kohlrabi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 22 Apr 22 – May 6
Transplant Outdoors May 27 May 27 – Jun 10
Direct Sow May 13 May 13 – Jun 3
Harvest July 15 Jul 15 – Aug 19
Fall Sowing July 19 Jul 19 – Aug 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors
May Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September
October
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.7"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

45–65 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

123 days in Montezuma County

Growing Tips for Kohlrabi in Montezuma County

Direct sow Kohlrabi outdoors after May 27 in Montezuma 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 Montezuma County, CO?

Montezuma County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of May 27. Plan your Kohlrabi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Montezuma County, CO?

Montezuma County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 27 and first fall frost is September 27.

🌱

Your Montezuma County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Montezuma County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Montezuma County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.