When to Plant Kohlrabi in Outagamie County, WI
May to-do list for Outagamie County, Wisconsin
May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Outagamie County, Wisconsin.
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Get kohlrabi in the ground
Harden off for 7 days — a little more sun each day — before planting. That's the difference between a seedling that thrives and one that stalls.
Get ahead of June
- 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.
Outagamie County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 150 days.
At an elevation of 1,052 feet, Outagamie County receives approximately 36.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Kohlrabi to ensure they mature before fall.
Outagamie County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.3-6.8
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 Outagamie County
How your county's soil matches Kohlrabi's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.3–6.8) is within Kohlrabi's preferred range (6.0–7.5).
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Outagamie County is excellent for Kohlrabi — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.6%) — 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 01 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 27.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 3" | 4.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3" | 3.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3" | 4.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3" | 3.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 3" | 3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 2.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Outagamie 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 — Outagamie County, WI
Kohlrabi Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 3 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 8 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Direct Sow | April 24 | Apr 24 – May 15 |
| Harvest | June 26 | Jun 26 – Jul 31 |
| Fall Sowing | July 27 | Jul 27 – Aug 10 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 4" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| 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 · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
45–65 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5b
📆 Growing Season
150 days in Outagamie County
Growing Tips for Kohlrabi in Outagamie County
Direct sow Kohlrabi outdoors after May 08 in Outagamie 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 Outagamie County, WI?
Outagamie County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 8. Plan your Kohlrabi planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Outagamie County, WI?
Outagamie County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 8 and first fall frost is October 5.
Your Outagamie County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Outagamie 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.