When to plant kohlrabi in Sacramento, California

December 15 – December 29

Transplant outdoors · typical Sacramento year

Climate basis: NOAA station Sacramento 5 Ese, CA (USW00023271), 5 mi (7 km) from downtown Sacramento (ZCTA 95814 centroid), elevation 38 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant kohlrabi outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (January 12). One year in ten still freezes after February 8.

Last spring freezeJanuary 121-in-10 after Feb 8
First fall freezeDecember 161-in-10 before Nov 28
Frost-free season341 daysmedian at 32°F
USDA zone9b25 to 30°F winter low not frost timing

The Sacramento year

Start seeds indoorsNov 3 – Nov 17
Transplant outdoorsDec 15 – Dec 29
Fall plantingOct 21 – Nov 18
  • indoors under lights
  • in the garden
  • frost-free season
  • 1-in-10 years still freeze to Feb 8
Kohlrabi in Sacramento · freeze context from Sacramento 5 Ese, CA, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Nov 3 – Nov 17

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 (Jan 12). University of New Hampshire Extension

Transplant outdoors

Dec 15 – Dec 29

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 (Jan 12). University of New Hampshire Extension · Purdue University Extension

Fall planting

Oct 21 – Nov 18

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

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