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

Your comments and tips

02 Jul 13, ken cassin (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
can you eat the leaves in salads as in raw and boiled for side vegs like spinage
26 Apr 14, David (Australia - temperate climate)
You sure can; my favourite green vegie last year was Kohl Rabi leaves as a fried stand alone green veg. It is worth growing just for the leaves!
31 Jul 13, ron (Australia - temperate climate)
I would like to source some Kohlrabi seed (organic) can be phoned on 0417233165
02 Aug 14, Konrad (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Ron I have Seeds on Hand but only the Giant Family the grow 9kg plus and not get Woody
12 Nov 13, Experimental Gardener (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I direct sowed in the garden at half the recommended distance to allow for seeds that didn't germinate, half my luck all seeds did. I left them rather than thin them out. The largest of my bulbs were a bit bigger than golf balls, but had lots of leaf growth coming from the bulb, I plucked the odd one or two as they reached this stage, initially I thought the majority wouldn't form a bulb but as I removed the odd one the others did eventually bulb up apart from a couple. I grew the Purple Vienna during autumn and have now left a couple to go to seed. Even though it is out of season I"m trying my luck with the White Vienna variety at the moment.
12 Mar 14, eddie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Kohlrabi is a cool climate plant, in temperate regions you'll be better off to grow it in autumn and winter. The plant will tolerate mild frost. A growing tip. I grow mine always from seeds, and when the seedlings are 10 cm tall, only the strongest seedlings are going in the ground. Before planting time I apply dehydrated lime to the soil.To 1 m2 a handfull is enough.When I put seedlings in the ground I dig for each plant a hole, fill it with water and let it soak in the ground then comes the seedlings and make sure the roots are well covered with mud. Much faster start to grow, and always plant in evenings. (I'm living in Melbourne under the hills) On very hot summer days I pull up a "tent" above plants. During hot days the kohlrabi is having heat shock, therefore I shelter it with shade cloth. The seeds I put in "hot bed" in July August. First harvest is around Christmas. I pull out from ground as much as much required in the kitchen, it will keep growing if you let it. The variety I'm growing is able to grow to 2-3 kg in size, never get inside woody. I have a variety of kohlrabi not cultivated in Australia only few growers know this variety here. Kohlrabi gigante is the name, there are articles photos about this plant on the net.
18 Apr 14, Barry Sanders (Australia - temperate climate)
Anybody here that grows kohl rabi? I just read the gardenate site comments about it, but here are some thoughts of my own. Firstly, they say to grow it direct....well, I have grown direct, but I've also had equal success by growing in a punnet & then transplanting. It doesn't suffer from transplant shock. I transplanted some little ones yesterday & they are looking extremely healthy this morning. I've found that here in Port Pirie with a temperate climate I can plant them nearly all year..excepting the hottest part of summer & the coldest part of winter. Such a versatile little vegie.....just have it as a side dish, use it in a salad & it's a good replacement for cabbage in coleslaw, having a similar taste, but sweeter. I also use it in casseroles, curries, stir fries & have made delicious kohl rabi patties. Also, it stores really well in the crisper, I've picked it & used it a month later & you wouldn't even know it wasn't freshly picked. I don't know of anybody else who grows it, & most of my friends & family have never heard of it or won't even try it because they are unfamiliar with it.
07 May 14, Alison (Australia - temperate climate)
Dear friend It will be much appreciate if some one can help with the following questions. 1. Can kohlrabi with leaves be planted straight into soil? 2. If not, please advise where can get the seeds from? 3. Can I grown it in well drained foam boxes instead of ground? Your sincerely Alison
08 May 14, Stacey (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Eden seeds (edenseeds.com.au) have Kohlrabi seeds. I have it currently growing in raised garden beds quite happily so I can't see why it wouldn't grow in foam boxes
14 Jul 14, Lance Bushell (Australia - temperate climate)
where can I purchase seeds for kohlrabi white and purple variety
Showing 21 - 30 of 92 comments

Hi, I have just started my garden and as I prepared the soil I found ants everywhere, but I read somewhere that putting powdered cinnamon around the garden edge would stop the ants as they apparently don't like the sticky powder as it sticks to their legs. I did and it has worked so far. Have to retouch if I overwater the area, but I'm happier without green ant bites.... The joy of my garden is the growing and reaping the rewards of fresh veggies and herbs. Because I do sometimes wonder by the time we use all our fertilisers....I think the cost is a bit high...

- Lesley Hay

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