When to plant kohlrabi in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

April 3 – April 17

Transplant outdoors · typical Sioux Falls year

Climate basis: NOAA station Sioux Falls, SD (USW00014944), 2 mi (3 km) from downtown Sioux Falls (ZCTA 57104 centroid), elevation 1430 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant kohlrabi outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (May 1). One year in ten still freezes after May 14.

Last spring freezeMay 11-in-10 after May 14

First fall freezeOctober 61-in-10 before Sep 23

Frost-free season≈ 157 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Apr 22 – Oct 17kills even hardy greens

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

The Sioux Falls year

Start seeds indoorsFeb 20 – Mar 6

Transplant outdoorsApr 3 – Apr 17

Fall plantingAug 11 – Sep 8

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to May 14

Kohlrabi in Sioux Falls · freeze context from Sioux Falls, SD, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Feb 20 – Mar 6

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 (May 1). University of New Hampshire Extension

Transplant outdoors

Apr 3 – Apr 17

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

Fall planting

Aug 11 – Sep 8

Purdue Table 2: plant fall kohlrabi at least 4–8 weeks before the first fall frost. Anchored to the median first fall freeze (Oct 6). 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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