When to plant kohlrabi in Cleveland, Ohio

March 11 – March 25

Transplant outdoors · typical Cleveland year

Climate basis: NOAA station Cleveland Burke AP, OH (USW00004853), 2 mi (4 km) from downtown Cleveland (ZCTA 44113 centroid), elevation 584 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant kohlrabi outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (April 8). One year in ten still freezes after April 20.

Last spring freezeApril 81-in-10 after Apr 20

First fall freezeNovember 121-in-10 before Nov 1

Frost-free season≈ 217 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Apr 1 – Nov 22kills even hardy greens

USDA zone7a0 to 5°F winter low — not frost timing

The Cleveland year

Start seeds indoorsJan 28 – Feb 11

Transplant outdoorsMar 11 – Mar 25

Fall plantingSep 17 – Oct 15

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 20

Kohlrabi in Cleveland · freeze context from Cleveland Burke AP, OH, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Jan 28 – Feb 11

Sow 4–6 weeks before the set-out window opens (UNH: time from seed to transplant 4–6 weeks). Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 8). University of New Hampshire Extension

Transplant outdoors

Mar 11 – Mar 25

UNH: safe to set out 4 weeks before the last frost; Purdue's hardy class allows 4–6 weeks before. The later UNH start is used. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 8). University of New Hampshire Extension · Purdue University Extension

Fall planting

Sep 17 – Oct 15

Purdue Table 2: plant fall kohlrabi at least 4–8 weeks before the first fall frost. Anchored to the median first fall freeze (Nov 12). Purdue University Extension

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:

Crop rule sources (2)

University of New Hampshire Extension: Growing Vegetables: When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden [fact sheet] (accessed 2026-07-24)
Per-crop 'time from seed to transplant' and 'safe to set out in garden' relative to last frost.
Purdue University Extension: Indiana Vegetable Planting Calendar (HO-186-W) (accessed 2026-07-24)
Hardiness classes: hardy = plant 4-6 wk before last spring frost; semi-hardy = 2-4 wk before; tender = after average last frost; very tender = at least 2 wk after. Table 2: fall planting at least 4-8 wk before first fall frost.

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