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When to Plant Kohlrabi in Loving County, TX

Loving County, Texas Zone 8a May

May in Loving County, Texas — your action list

Welcome to May in Zone 8a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost March 27
Avg. first frost November 6
Soil temp (4") 68°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Begin indoor sowing: kohlrabi

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

  2. It's harvest week for kohlrabi

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

To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
  • 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.

Loving County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 224 days.

At an elevation of 1,464 feet, Loving County receives approximately 53 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 98°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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Kohlrabi root diseases.

Loving County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
224 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
224 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6
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Loving County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.3-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (139 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 7 – Jun 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (140 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jun 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Jul 11

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 Loving County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.3–8.3) is more alkaline than Kohlrabi prefers (6.0–7.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Kohlrabi.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (0.9%). 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 224-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 02 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 28.

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
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 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3" 2.7" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Apr 3" 1.5" 1.5" 🚿 Regular watering
May 3" 1.2" 1.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 3" 1.8" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 3" 9.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 11.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 7.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3" 2.8" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Loving 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 ~1,292 GDD — county provides 5,264 GDD Excellent fit

Kohlrabi Planting Timeline — Loving County, TX

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 28 Aug 28 – Sep 11

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
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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_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

224 days in Loving County

Growing Tips for Kohlrabi in Loving County

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

Sandy soil in Loving 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 98°F in Loving County, provide afternoon shade for Kohlrabi and water deeply in the morning.

Your generous 224.0-day season in Loving 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 Loving County, TX?

Loving 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 Loving County, TX?

Loving County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 6.

🌱

Your Loving County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Loving 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 Loving 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.