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When to Plant Kohlrabi in Webster County, MS

Webster County, Mississippi Zone 8a May

May to-do list for Webster County, Mississippi

Your garden in Webster County, Mississippi is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.

Avg. last frost March 23
Avg. first frost November 7
Soil temp (4") 67°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.7 hrs
  1. Bring in the kohlrabi

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

June prep starts now
  • 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.

Webster County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 229 days.

At an elevation of 135 feet, Webster County receives approximately 56.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 93°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.

Webster County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
229 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
229 growing days
First Fall Frost November 7
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Webster County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (146 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Mar 15 🍅 Harvest: May 3 – Jun 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (145 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jun 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jul 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 Webster County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–6.2) is more acidic than Kohlrabi prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Webster 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

6
successive plantings in your 229-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 03 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 29.

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 5.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 6.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Webster 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 ~1,086 GDD — county provides 4,522 GDD Excellent fit

Kohlrabi Planting Timeline — Webster County, MS

Kohlrabi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 16 Feb 16 – Mar 2
Transplant Outdoors March 23 Mar 23 – Apr 6
Direct Sow March 9 Mar 9 – Mar 30
Harvest May 11 May 11 – Jun 15
Fall Sowing August 29 Aug 29 – Sep 12

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
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October
November
December
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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

229 days in Webster County

Growing Tips for Kohlrabi in Webster County

Direct sow Kohlrabi outdoors after March 23 in Webster County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Webster County's clay soil (28% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Kohlrabi. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Your generous 229.0-day season in Webster 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 Webster County, MS?

Webster County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Kohlrabi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Webster County, MS?

Webster County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 7.

🌱

Your Webster County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Webster 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 Webster 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.