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When to Plant Kohlrabi in Calhoun County, MS

Calhoun County, Mississippi Zone 8a May

This month in Calhoun County, Mississippi

Here's what deserves your attention in Calhoun County, Mississippi this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 8a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost March 27
Avg. first frost October 31
Soil temp (4") 69°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.8 hrs
  1. Get kohlrabi seeds going inside

    Label every cell. You will absolutely forget which is which otherwise.

  2. Pick kohlrabi

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

June will be here before you know it — start on
  • First harvests: kohlrabi

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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.

Calhoun County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 218 days.

At an elevation of 470 feet, Calhoun County receives approximately 57.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Kohlrabi during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Kohlrabi, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Kohlrabi root diseases.

Calhoun County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
218 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
218 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Calhoun County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (141 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Mar 16 🍅 Harvest: May 4 – Jun 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jun 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (137 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 9

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 Calhoun County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.6) is more acidic than Kohlrabi prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). 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

5
successive plantings in your 218-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 27 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 22.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/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 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3" 5.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3" 5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 6.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 5.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 5.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Oct in Calhoun 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 ~962 GDD — county provides 3,815 GDD Excellent fit

Kohlrabi Planting Timeline — Calhoun County, MS

Kohlrabi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 20 Feb 20 – Mar 6
Transplant Outdoors March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 10
Direct Sow March 13 Mar 13 – Apr 3
Harvest May 15 May 15 – Jun 19
Fall Sowing August 22 Aug 22 – Sep 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.7"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

45–65 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

218 days in Calhoun County

Growing Tips for Kohlrabi in Calhoun County

Direct sow Kohlrabi outdoors after March 27 in Calhoun County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Calhoun County's clay soil (30% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Kohlrabi. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Your generous 218.0-day season in Calhoun County allows multiple plantings of Kohlrabi. Sow every 22.0 days for continuous harvest.

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 Calhoun County, MS?

Calhoun County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Kohlrabi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Calhoun County, MS?

Calhoun County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is October 31.

🌱

Your Calhoun County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Calhoun County (Zone 8a). 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 Calhoun County, MS. 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.