Growing Kohlrabi in Zone 8A

Kohlrabi is the underrated brassica of the spring garden. It grows fast, tastes like a mild broccoli stem crossed with an apple, and is ready in 45-60 days.

Zone 8A enjoys a long growing season. You can often get two plantings of cool-season crops (spring and fall).

Top Growing Tips

• Start indoors 4 weeks before last frost or direct sow 4 weeks before
• Harvest when the swollen stem (not a root — it grows above ground) is golf-ball to tennis-ball size
• Larger than 3 inches means it’s getting woody and tough
• Tolerates light frost; plant early for spring harvest and again in late summer for fall
• Thin to 5-6 inches apart for proper bulb development

Companion Planting

Good companions: beets, onions, cucumbers, aromatic herbs

Avoid planting near: tomatoes, pole beans, strawberries

Harvest Timeline

45-60 days from transplant; harvest when 2-3 inches in diameter

About Zone 8A

USDA Hardiness Zone 8A has an average last spring frost around Mar 20 and first fall frost around Nov 10. All planting dates above are calculated from these frost dates. Your specific location may vary — check with your local extension office for the most accurate dates.