When to plant kohlrabi in New York, New York

March 2 – March 16

Transplant outdoors · typical New York year

Climate basis: NOAA station New York Cntrl Pk Twr, NY (USW00094728), 5 mi (8 km) from downtown New York (ZCTA 10007 centroid), elevation 130 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 30). One year in ten still freezes after April 9.

Last spring freezeMarch 301-in-10 after Apr 9
First fall freezeNovember 201-in-10 before Nov 6
Frost-free season236 daysmedian at 32°F
Hard freeze, 28°Mar 19Dec 1kills even hardy greens

The New York year

Start seeds indoorsJan 19 – Feb 2
Transplant outdoorsMar 2 – Mar 16
Fall plantingSep 25 – Oct 23
  • indoors under lights
  • in the garden
  • frost-free season
  • 1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 9
Kohlrabi in New York · freeze context from New York Cntrl Pk Twr, NY, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Jan 19 – Feb 2

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 30). University of New Hampshire Extension

Transplant outdoors

Mar 2 – Mar 16

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

Fall planting

Sep 25 – Oct 23

Purdue Table 2: plant fall kohlrabi at least 4–8 weeks before the first fall frost. Anchored to the median first fall freeze (Nov 20). 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)

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