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

04 Sep 11, Roger (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Ruth; No answers but i have the same problem! No big swollen bottoms like in the photo. just thick stalks
28 Sep 11, Peter Kovacs (Australia - arid climate)
My Mather make a howl an it with a spoon and filled with mince and rice and seasoning,cooked in the dill sauce from the inside of spooned out kohlrabi. See Hungarian recipe's.
25 Apr 12, konstantinos (Australia - temperate climate)
hi my kohlrabi has holes on it any advice? thanks metiteranian climat
27 Jul 12, adam (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Yes Ingvild, I learnt this recipe from my Dutch friends as well. It's really delicious, and you can also mash in some celeriac to go with it.
30 Aug 12, Amanda Grady (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have kohlrabi growing. Lots of leaves which are delicious cooked like spinach. Unfortunately there is no swelling at the base yet. How long should it take to start to see something. I have problem with onions not swelling also. Is this the same reason?
30 Aug 12, adam (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Amanda. When i lived in temperate Sydney, the kohlrabi was a lot less bulbous as well. Perhaps it is the region you live. Kohlrabi, and most of the family, grow slower in the cooler regions. I'm no scientist, but I've noticed this. Maybe it grows too quickly?. The same would apply to onions I think. I tried growing onions in the south of India a couple of years ago. The heat just turned them into spring onions, almost no bulb at all. Just a theory. Maybe you could try in the shady? It might work.
21 Dec 12, GRANVILLE (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
HI I WAS JUST LOOKING TO SEE WHAT SHOULDN'T BE GROWN TOGETHER HAVING SEEN SOMETHINGS I PLAN TO PLANT DON'T LIKE PLANTS I ALREADY HAVE GROWING, BUT I WAS WONDERING HOW FAR AWAY THINGS HAVE TO BE NOT TO AFFECTING EACH OTHER.
25 Jan 13, Robert Capecchi (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
2 Kohlrabi (boil 25mins) transfer to chilled water, towel dry & slice 4 carrots (boil 15mins) transfer to chilled water, towel dry & slice Mix with 250grams of mozzarella and a handful of parsley. Put into a buttered baking dish and cook @ 200'c for 12 mins.
31 May 13, Bonnie (USA - Zone 10a climate)
How far south can Kohlrabi be grow? What is the best time for planting here?
19 Feb 23, Gene (USA - Zone 9b climate)
The green varieties grow faster than the red ones. I grow kohlrabi all winter into May under cover. Just keep it well watered and out of direct sun in June, July and most of August.
Showing 11 - 20 of 91 comments

In Norway we eat Kohl Rabi as a mash at Christmas. It is eaten with our salty lamb ribs that has been steamed. I would imagine that the mash would go well with corned beef as well. Steem the Kohl Rabi until tender, then mash along with a steamed potato or two (bear in mind that Norweagian Kohl Rabi is about 4 times the size of the ones "down under"). Hence I'd probably use 4 "down under" Kohl Rabi to 2 potatoes. Add about a table spoon of butter, and then cream until a nice mash consistency. Black pepper and salt to taste. Bon appetite!!

- Ingvild

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.