When to Plant Kohlrabi in McPherson County, NE
May in McPherson County, Nebraska — your action list
Here's what deserves your attention in McPherson County, Nebraska this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 5b and timed around your local frost dates.
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Move kohlrabi from tray to bed
Plant tomatoes deep — bury the stem up to the first true leaves to grow extra roots. Everything else goes in at the same depth it grew in the tray.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- Starting indoors: kohlrabi
- First harvests: kohlrabi
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.
McPherson County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 159 days.
At an elevation of 884 feet, McPherson County receives approximately 21.7 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.
McPherson County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.7-7.5
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 McPherson County
How your county's soil matches Kohlrabi's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.7–7.5) is within Kohlrabi's preferred range (6.0–7.5).
Soil Texture
The loam soil in McPherson County is excellent for Kohlrabi — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Kohlrabi.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) — Kohlrabi will thrive.
How to Plant Kohlrabi
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Kohlrabi
Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 05 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 31.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 10/10 — 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 | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 3" | 2.3" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 3" | 1.5" | 1.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 3" | 1.7" | 1.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 3" | 2.3" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 3" | 2" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 3" | 1.8" | 1.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in McPherson 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 Planting Timeline — McPherson County, NE
Kohlrabi Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 29 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 3 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Direct Sow | April 19 | Apr 19 – May 10 |
| Harvest | June 21 | Jun 21 – Jul 26 |
| Fall Sowing | July 31 | Jul 31 – Aug 14 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 4" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
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
159 days in McPherson County
Growing Tips for Kohlrabi in McPherson County
Direct sow Kohlrabi outdoors after May 03 in McPherson 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Kohlrabi in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Kohlrabi in McPherson County, NE?
McPherson County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Kohlrabi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is McPherson County, NE?
McPherson County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 9.
Your McPherson County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for McPherson 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.