When to plant kohlrabi in Memphis, Tennessee

February 19 – March 5

Transplant outdoors · typical Memphis year

Climate basis: NOAA station W Memphis, AR (USC00037712), 7 mi (12 km) from downtown Memphis (ZCTA 38103 centroid), elevation 215 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant kohlrabi outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (March 19). One year in ten still freezes after April 7.

Last spring freezeMarch 191-in-10 after Apr 7

First fall freezeNovember 101-in-10 before Oct 28

Frost-free season≈ 235 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Mar 7 – Nov 22kills even hardy greens

USDA zone8a10 to 15°F winter low — not frost timing

The Memphis year

Start seeds indoorsJan 8 – Jan 22

Transplant outdoorsFeb 19 – Mar 5

Fall plantingSep 15 – Oct 13

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 7

Kohlrabi in Memphis · freeze context from W Memphis, AR, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Jan 8 – Jan 22

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 (Mar 19). University of New Hampshire Extension

Transplant outdoors

Feb 19 – Mar 5

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 (Mar 19). University of New Hampshire Extension · Purdue University Extension

Fall planting

Sep 15 – Oct 13

Purdue Table 2: plant fall kohlrabi at least 4–8 weeks before the first fall frost. Anchored to the median first fall freeze (Nov 10). 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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