The best way to grow Kohlrabi at home

Kohlrabi, or Turnip-Rooted Cabbage, is a member of the Brassica family, and a highly nutritious vegetable, combining in flavor the characteristics of the Cabbage and Turnip. It’s an excellent source of vitamins C and B6, potassium, and fiber. The name translates from German as ‘turnip cabbage’ its mild, sweet flavor is somewhere between a turnip and a water chestnut, with a crisp, crunchy texture. Kohlrabi can be eaten raw or cooked and is delicious in salads, slaws, and soups.

The swollen bulb-like stem is the part used, although the leaves may be gathered and cooked like Cabbage to which they are similar in flavor and you can use it in recipes as a substitute for broccoli or cabbage.

Kohlrabi is an easy-to-grow brassica that’s often accidently mistaken for a turnip in supermarkets. Here’s everything you need to know about planting, growing, and harvesting kohlrabi in your garden.

Best soil for Kohlrabi

A moderately strong, well-worked, deep loam, rich in lime, potash and phosphoric acid, is the most suitable soil for Kohlrabi, but, generally speaking, successful results will be obtained from any ground that will produce a good crop of Cabbage.

Planting Kohlrabi seeds

Kohlrabi is a cool-weather crop that’s best planted in early spring or late Summer/ early Fall.

Kohlrabi seed may be sown in an outdoor seed bed. Should the seedlings come up too thickly, thin out liberally, and when about 3 inches high, transplant out in rows into their permanent position.

Kohlrabi can also be sown where it is to remain and the plants thinned out. Unlike the other members of the Brassica family, it does not transplant easily.

Set out in rows 18 inches apart, and allow 15 inches between the plants in the rows. The treatment after transplanting is the same as that recommended for Cabbage.

Keep soil moist until seeds germinate, which usually takes 7-14 days. Once seedlings emerge, thin them so they’re spaced 10-12 inches apart.

Be careful when cultivating to keep the earth from the heart of the plant, and not to cover the knob. The bulb-like stems will be ready for use in from four to five months, and should be taken before fully matured, and when not more than 4 inches in diameter, as they become coarse and inferior when allowed to grow too large.

Kohlrabi varieties

The best Kohlrabi varieties are Smooth White Short-leaved, Large Green, and Large Purple.

when to harvest kohlrabi

Kohlrabi is ready to harvest 60-70 days after planting. The entire aboveground portion of the plant is edible – roots, leaves, and stems.

To harvest, cut kohlrabi at the base of the plant with a sharp knife. Enjoy your kohlrabi fresh or store it in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Kohlrabi is a crisp and flavorful brassica that’s easy to grow in the garden. With just a little care and attention, you can enjoy fresh kohlrabi all season long!