When to plant kohlrabi in The Dalles, OR

Plant kohlrabi in the garden in The Dalles Apr 1 – May 13, either as seeds or as young plants started indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4. For a fall harvest, plant again Aug 13–27.

Easy Plant seeds or young plants

Why these dates

The Dalles's typical last spring frost is April 11. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about April 1.

Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys. Hot, dry summers and quick spring warm-up. Warm crops go in earlier than west of the Cascades, and irrigation matters more than rain.

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

Start seeds indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4 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.
Harden off the young plants: about a week before planting, set them outside for a few hours a day, a little longer each day.
Plant them in the garden Apr 1 – May 13, Thin to 6 inches apart. If you plant seeds instead, sow them ¼ to ½ inch deep.
Water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little every day, and mulch once the soil is warm.
Plant again Aug 13–27 for a fall harvest.
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 The Dalles, OR?

Typically April 11. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 28. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for The Dalles Municipal Airport (Dallesport, WA).

Is it too late to plant kohlrabi in The Dalles?

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

When should I start kohlrabi from seed indoors in The Dalles?

February 18 to March 4, which is 6 to 4 weeks before the April 1 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.