When to plant kohlrabi in Kansas City, Missouri

March 7 – March 21

Transplant outdoors · typical Kansas City year

Climate basis: NOAA station Kansas City Downtown AP, MO (USW00013988), 2 mi (3 km) from downtown Kansas City (ZCTA 64106 centroid), elevation 742 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 4). One year in ten still freezes after April 20.

Last spring freezeApril 41-in-10 after Apr 20

First fall freezeNovember 21-in-10 before Oct 21

Frost-free season≈ 211 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Mar 26 – Nov 11kills even hardy greens

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

The Kansas City year

Start seeds indoorsJan 24 – Feb 7

Transplant outdoorsMar 7 – Mar 21

Fall plantingSep 7 – Oct 5

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

Kohlrabi in Kansas City · freeze context from Kansas City Downtown AP, MO, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Jan 24 – Feb 7

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 4). University of New Hampshire Extension

Transplant outdoors

Mar 7 – Mar 21

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

Fall planting

Sep 7 – Oct 5

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