Growing Kohlrabi

Brassica oleracea gongylodes : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      P P P            

(Best months for growing Kohlrabi in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 46°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 4 - 10 inches apart
  • Harvest in 7-10 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Beets, celery, cucumber, onions, marigold, nasturtium, rhubarb, aromatic herbs (sage, dill, chamomile)
  • Avoid growing close to: Climbing (pole) beans, tomato, peppers (chilli, capsicum), eggplant (aubergine), strawberry, mustard
  • Mature kohlrabi
  • Green kohlrabi

The swollen stem looks like a turnip with reddish/purple cabbage leaves, usually purple or greenish white skin.

Protect from cabbage white butterflies.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Kohlrabi

Use when young.
Scrub well, cut off leaf stalks, roots and woody parts.
Young ones do not need peeling.
Can be grated raw for salads.
Or cut in pieces and steam.
Use in casseroles.

Your comments and tips

Be the first to post a question or tip from the USA

this is my first year growing kohlrabi, I love it, the flavor is different , but great, one thing though, ants love it to, they make holes into the plant, have to put ant dust or some thing on them, full of sugar. planted many new things this year, due to making more raised garden beds, red cabbage, Daikon, chard, Celeriac, red and brown onions, had a great season this year with snow and honey peas, many different lettuces this year great harvest, planted grafted apple tree, grafted peach and nectarine tree, nashi pears, grapes and passionfruit, why buy fruit and veg from the shop and not know how old it is or what they have done to it.

- gordon

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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