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     P P    

(Best months for growing Kohlrabi in USA - Zone 7b 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 8°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 10 - 25 cm 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

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14 Sep 24, Allan (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
I direct sewed 15 Mar 24. The seed came up really quickly and I progressively thinned. They should have been ready in 60 days but they reached winter and never formed a bulb. Now its spring and whilst there is a little swelling at the base the plants are actually going to seed. Ive been using the tops and leaves in casseroles. Not sure why they never formed the bulb, possibly overcrowding??
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20 Mar 23, Deborah Johnson (USA - Zone 6a climate)
We are in zone 6 a. Would kohlrabi be a perennial here?
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15 Apr 23, Michelle (USA - Zone 7a climate)
It will grow as a perennial, however it is technically a biennial. It will flower and set seed the second year, rather than producing another edible stem.
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15 Oct 21, Viola (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Can i get seedlings of kohlrabi, and what time of the year? Will it grow in Auckland? Thank you
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19 Oct 21, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Try one of the garden shops like Kings or Bunnings. They should have seeds and possibly seedlings.
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01 Mar 21, Hazel proudman (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I am in South Canterbury, waimate.wondering were would I be able to purchase the seeds, please
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12 Mar 21, Charu (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi Kings plant barn has kohlrabi seeds .i just sowed it today .
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04 Mar 21, Anonymous (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Try NZ seeds suppliers on the internet. Or garden shops in Bunnings, Mitre 10 etc.
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08 May 20, Shar (Australia - temperate climate)
Is it okay to start sowing the kohl rabi seeds now or should I wait for a couple of months and start in August? I live in suburban Sydney
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11 May 20, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Go to the kohlrabi page, set climate to sub tropical, ( eg www.gardenate.com/plant/Kohlrabi?zone=3) and read the calendar months when to plant. P in a green box means Plant or Sow seeds.
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Live in Hervey Bay qld growing kohl rabi was wondering what pest would bite big chunks out of bulb not eating leaves

- Josephine

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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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