Growing Kohlrabi in Zone 9B

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 9B has a very long growing season with mild winters. Many crops can be grown nearly year-round with successive plantings.

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 9B

USDA Hardiness Zone 9B has an average last spring frost around Feb 15 and first fall frost around Dec 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.