When to plant kohlrabi in Minneapolis, Minnesota

March 26 – April 9

Transplant outdoors · typical Minneapolis year

Climate basis: NOAA station Lower St Anthony Falls, MN (USC00214884), 1 mi (2 km) from downtown Minneapolis (ZCTA 55401 centroid), elevation 754 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 23). One year in ten still freezes after May 7.

Last spring freezeApril 231-in-10 after May 7

First fall freezeOctober 161-in-10 before Oct 2

Frost-free season≈ 175 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Apr 14 – Oct 27kills even hardy greens

USDA zone5a-20 to -15°F winter low — not frost timing

The Minneapolis year

Start seeds indoorsFeb 12 – Feb 26

Transplant outdoorsMar 26 – Apr 9

Fall plantingAug 21 – Sep 18

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

Kohlrabi in Minneapolis · freeze context from Lower St Anthony Falls, MN, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Feb 12 – Feb 26

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 23). University of New Hampshire Extension

Transplant outdoors

Mar 26 – Apr 9

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

Fall planting

Aug 21 – Sep 18

Purdue Table 2: plant fall kohlrabi at least 4–8 weeks before the first fall frost. Anchored to the median first fall freeze (Oct 16). 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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