When to plant kohlrabi in Nashville, Tennessee

March 4 – March 18

Transplant outdoors · typical Nashville year

Climate basis: NOAA station Shelby Bottoms Nature, TN (USC00408238), 4 mi (6 km) from downtown Nashville (ZCTA 37203 centroid), elevation 405 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 1). One year in ten still freezes after April 16.

Last spring freezeApril 11-in-10 after Apr 16

First fall freezeOctober 311-in-10 before Oct 18

Frost-free season≈ 213 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Mar 20 – Nov 9kills even hardy greens

USDA zone7b5 to 10°F winter low — not frost timing

The Nashville year

Start seeds indoorsJan 21 – Feb 4

Transplant outdoorsMar 4 – Mar 18

Fall plantingSep 5 – Oct 3

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 16

Kohlrabi in Nashville · freeze context from Shelby Bottoms Nature, TN, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Jan 21 – Feb 4

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 1). University of New Hampshire Extension

Transplant outdoors

Mar 4 – Mar 18

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

Fall planting

Sep 5 – Oct 3

Purdue Table 2: plant fall kohlrabi at least 4–8 weeks before the first fall frost. Anchored to the median first fall freeze (Oct 31). 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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