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

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14 Jul 14, michel fanton seedsavers network HQ (Australia - temperate climate)
gardeners saving seeds of kohl rabi or any brassicas end up with far too many seeds, much more than they hoped for. Add to that they save seeds from at least 3 plants going to seeds for cross pollination so exchanging them is imperative. Try at your nearest "local seed network" someone may have tonnes to give away or swap.
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01 Aug 14, steve (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
i planted a lot of kohlrabi seeds in multiple spots a month ago. nothing sprouted yet. sub tropical area. anyone know if a whole batch of seeds bought from good online source can be bad? or does it sometimes take a while?
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17 May 19, Guenter (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Put Kohlrabi seeds into little pots 5 days ago and 9 from the 16 seeds already are up! Bought the seeds at Bunnings.
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02 Aug 14, Belinda (Australia - temperate climate)
For really cheap seeds ($1) including Kohl Rabi go to: www.TheSeedCollection.com.au. I have purchased quite a few packets from them and they offer free postage.
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13 Sep 16, Raina Stevens (Australia - temperate climate)
theseedcollection.com.au does not have kohlrabi seed.
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16 Oct 14, Wendy (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted Kohlrabi seedlings in about June, and now, with the warmer weather, they are all going to flower - and only long tough woody stems. Our garden is on deep sand, with added clay and organic matter.
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16 Nov 16, Carol (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Wendy - the planting notes say they're ready to harvest in 7 - 10 weeks. That would mean that yours would have been ready in August September. Perhaps you could wait for the flowers to set seed and try again! They've got a long planting season
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06 Mar 15, CHRIS LUCHT (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Where can one buy kohlrabi seeds in South Africa?
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28 Apr 15, Margaret (Australia - temperate climate)
How do I know when the kohlrabi is ready to harvest
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29 Apr 15, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
You can harvest it when the bulb is big enough to eat. Anything from golf-ball sized up. Smaller is crisper. Large ones get a bit tough and stringy. The leaves are edible too but a bit strongly flavoured.
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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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