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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
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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11 Jun 23, (Australia - temperate climate)
Not sure why you would suggest setting to sub-tropical when the Sydney climate is temperate.
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Showing 1 - 10 of 91 comments
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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.

- eddie

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