When to plant kohlrabi in Indianapolis, Indiana

March 23 – April 6

Transplant outdoors · typical Indianapolis year

Climate basis: NOAA station Indianapolis Se Side, IN (USC00124272), 6 mi (10 km) from downtown Indianapolis (ZCTA 46204 centroid), elevation 845 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 20). One year in ten still freezes after May 5.

Last spring freezeApril 201-in-10 after May 5

First fall freezeOctober 211-in-10 before Oct 7

Frost-free season≈ 183 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Apr 7 – Nov 1kills even hardy greens

USDA zone6b-5 to 0°F winter low — not frost timing

The Indianapolis year

Start seeds indoorsFeb 9 – Feb 23

Transplant outdoorsMar 23 – Apr 6

Fall plantingAug 26 – Sep 23

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to May 5

Kohlrabi in Indianapolis · freeze context from Indianapolis Se Side, IN, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Feb 9 – Feb 23

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 20). University of New Hampshire Extension

Transplant outdoors

Mar 23 – Apr 6

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 20). University of New Hampshire Extension · Purdue University Extension

Fall planting

Aug 26 – Sep 23

Purdue Table 2: plant fall kohlrabi at least 4–8 weeks before the first fall frost. Anchored to the median first fall freeze (Oct 21). 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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