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When to Plant Kohlrabi in Waller County, TX

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.

Waller County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 19 and the first fall frost is December 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 288 days.

At an elevation of 376 feet, Waller County receives approximately 64.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Kohlrabi may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” 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.

Waller County, TX (Zone 8b) Year-round
288 days
Last Spring Frost February 19
288 growing days
First Fall Frost December 4

Waller County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (202 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 7 Transplant: Feb 11 🍅 Harvest: Apr 1 – May 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (204 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 15 Transplant: Feb 19 🍅 Harvest: Apr 9 – May 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (203 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: Apr 27 – Jun 1

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 Waller County

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

Soil pH

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

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Waller 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 moderate (2.0%). 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

7
successive plantings in your 288-day season

Sow every 5.1 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 30 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 25.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/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 โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb 3" 2.4" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Mar 3" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3" 7.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 3" 8.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 9.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 7.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 6.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3" 2.2" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec 3" 1.7" 1.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Febโ€“Dec in Waller County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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 ~1,169 GDD — county provides 6,141 GDD Excellent fit

Kohlrabi Planting Timeline โ€” Waller County, TX

Kohlrabi Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 15 Jan 15 โ€“ Jan 29
Transplant Outdoors February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 5
Direct Sow February 5 Feb 5 โ€“ Feb 26
Harvest April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ May 14
Fall Sowing September 25 Sep 25 โ€“ Oct 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.7"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

45โ€“65 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: too_acidic

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

288 days in Waller County

Growing Tips for Kohlrabi in Waller County

Direct sow Kohlrabi outdoors after February 19 in Waller County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

Your generous 289.0-day season in Waller 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 Waller County, TX?

Waller County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 19. Plan your Kohlrabi planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Waller County, TX?

Waller County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 19 and first fall frost is December 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Waller County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Waller County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.