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When to Plant Kohlrabi in Cuming County, NE

Cuming County, Nebraska Zone 5b May

May to-do list for Cuming County, Nebraska

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Cuming County, Nebraska this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 22
Avg. first frost October 11
Soil temp (4") 58°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.4 hrs
  1. Indoor seed-starting week for kohlrabi

    A seed-starting mix and a sunny window (or a grow light) are all you need. Keep soil warm — around 70°F — for fast germination.

Get ahead of June
  • 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.

Cuming County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 172 days.

At an elevation of 925 feet, Cuming County receives approximately 21.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Kohlrabi during the growing season.

Cuming County, NE (Zone 5b) Moderate season
172 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
172 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11
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Cuming County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 3 Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Jul 31

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 Cuming County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.2) is within Kohlrabi's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Kohlrabi.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). 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

4
successive plantings in your 172-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 07 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 02.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 601 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 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3" 2" 1" 💧 Light watering
May 3" 3.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 3.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 2.4" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 3" 2.7" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3" 2.1" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3" 1.3" 1.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Cuming 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 ~756 GDD — county provides 2,365 GDD Excellent fit

Kohlrabi Planting Timeline — Cuming County, NE

Kohlrabi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 1
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 – May 6
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 29
Harvest June 10 Jun 10 – Jul 15
Fall Sowing August 2 Aug 2 – Aug 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.7"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

45–65 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

172 days in Cuming County

Growing Tips for Kohlrabi in Cuming County

Direct sow Kohlrabi outdoors after April 22 in Cuming County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your generous 172.0-day season in Cuming 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 Cuming County, NE?

Cuming County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Kohlrabi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cuming County, NE?

Cuming County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 11.

🌱

Your Cuming County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Cuming County (Zone 5b). 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 Cuming County, NE. 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.