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When to Plant Kohlrabi in Hudspeth County, TX

Hudspeth County, Texas Zone 8a May

May in the garden — Hudspeth County, Texas

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

Avg. last frost March 30
Avg. first frost November 5
Soil temp (4") 58°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Get kohlrabi seeds going inside

    Starting these indoors now means sturdy transplants ready the moment your soil warms up.

  2. It's harvest week for kohlrabi

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

A few tasks this May that'll pay off in 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.

Hudspeth County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 220 days.

At an elevation of 3,983 feet, Hudspeth County receives approximately 34.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 102°F, so Kohlrabi may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Kohlrabi will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Hudspeth County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
220 days
Last Spring Frost March 30
220 growing days
First Fall Frost November 5

Hudspeth County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.2-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (137 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jun 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (136 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jun 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (135 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 10

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 Hudspeth County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.2–8.3) is more alkaline than Kohlrabi prefers (6.0–7.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Hudspeth County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Kohlrabi will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.1%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting 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 220-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 01 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 27.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 115 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 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3" 2" 1" 💧 Light watering
Apr 3" 1.2" 1.8" 🚿 Regular watering
May 3" 0.7" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 3" 1.2" 1.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 3" 6.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 7.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3" 2.8" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3" 1.6" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Dec 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Hudspeth 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 ~1,458 GDD — county provides 5,830 GDD Excellent fit

Kohlrabi Planting Timeline — Hudspeth County, TX

Kohlrabi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 23 Feb 23 – Mar 9
Transplant Outdoors March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 13
Direct Sow March 16 Mar 16 – Apr 6
Harvest May 18 May 18 – Jun 22
Fall Sowing August 27 Aug 27 – Sep 10

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 · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

45–65 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

220 days in Hudspeth County

Growing Tips for Kohlrabi in Hudspeth County

Direct sow Kohlrabi outdoors after March 30 in Hudspeth County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Hudspeth County dries quickly — mulch Kohlrabi with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 102°F in Hudspeth County, provide afternoon shade for Kohlrabi and water deeply in the morning.

Your generous 220.0-day season in Hudspeth 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 Hudspeth County, TX?

Hudspeth County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 30. Plan your Kohlrabi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hudspeth County, TX?

Hudspeth County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 30 and first fall frost is November 5.

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Your Hudspeth County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Hudspeth 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 Hudspeth County, TX. 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.