When to plant kohlrabi in Raleigh, North Carolina

February 28 – March 14

Transplant outdoors · typical Raleigh year

Climate basis: NOAA station Raleigh State Univ, NC (USC00317079), 4 mi (6 km) from downtown Raleigh (ZCTA 27601 centroid), elevation 400 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 28). One year in ten still freezes after April 12.

Last spring freezeMarch 281-in-10 after Apr 12

First fall freezeNovember 81-in-10 before Oct 28

Frost-free season≈ 229 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Mar 14 – Nov 23kills even hardy greens

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

The Raleigh year

Start seeds indoorsJan 17 – Jan 31

Transplant outdoorsFeb 28 – Mar 14

Fall plantingSep 13 – Oct 11

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 12

Kohlrabi in Raleigh · freeze context from Raleigh State Univ, NC, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Jan 17 – Jan 31

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 28). University of New Hampshire Extension

Transplant outdoors

Feb 28 – Mar 14

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

Fall planting

Sep 13 – Oct 11

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