Rainline Garden

When to plant kohlrabi in Bend and Redmond, OR

Plant kohlrabi in the garden in Bend and Redmond May 12 – Jun 23, either as seeds or as young plants started indoors Mar 31 – Apr 14. For a fall harvest, plant again Jul 13–27.

Easy Plant seeds or young plants

Why these dates

Bend and Redmond's typical last spring frost is June 9. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop can go in about 4 weeks before that.

High desert and mountains. Central and high eastern Oregon. Frost is possible almost any month. Use row covers, wall-o-water or cloches for warm crops, and choose short-season varieties.

Difficulty
Easy
Sun
Full sun
Spacing
Thin to 6 inches apart
Planting depth
¼ to ½ inch deep
Frost
Handles light frost
First harvest
About 55 days after planting

Step by step

  1. Start seeds indoors Mar 31 – Apr 14 in trays or small pots under a grow light or in your sunniest window. Or skip this step and buy young plants (starts) at a garden center.
  2. Harden off the young plants: about a week before planting, set them outside for a few hours a day, a little longer each day.
  3. Plant them in the garden May 12 – Jun 23, Thin to 6 inches apart. If you plant seeds instead, sow them ¼ to ½ inch deep.
  4. Water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little every day, and mulch once the soil is warm.
  5. Plant again Jul 13–27 for a fall harvest.
  6. Harvest: Cut bulbs at 2 to 3 inches across. Peel off the tough skin and eat raw or cooked.

Varieties that do well here

  • Kolibri (purple)
  • Winner
  • Kossak (large, stores well)

Watch out for

Cabbage worms chew the leaves. Insect netting keeps the white moths from laying eggs.

Pick when the bulb is about tennis-ball size; bigger ones turn woody.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Bend and Redmond, OR?

Typically June 9. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 26. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Redmond Roberts Field.

Is it too late to plant kohlrabi in Bend and Redmond?

The spring planting window runs through June 23. If you miss it, plant again for fall from July 13 to July 27.

When should I start kohlrabi from seed indoors in Bend and Redmond?

March 31 to April 14, which is 6 to 4 weeks before the May 12 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

Also plant in Bend and Redmond around the same time

Planting dates for kohlrabi in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Bend and Redmond · Kohlrabi in every city