Kohlrabi Growing Guide* When to Plant Kohlrabi * Kohlrabi Plant Spacing * Soil, Irrigation, & Fertilizer * Pest & Disease Protection * Harvesting, Preserving & Storage * Extra Credit What are Kohlrabi?Kohlrabi is a vegetable that is part of the Brassica family, which also includes broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. It is a cool-weather crop that grows best in the spring and fall. Kohlrabi has a bulbous stem that grows above the ground, with leaves growing out of the top. The stem can range in color from light green to purple, and it has a crisp, crunchy texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavor that is often compared to a cross between cabbage and turnip. Kohlrabi is a versatile vegetable that can be eaten raw or cooked, and it is often used in salads, slaws, soups, and stir-fries. It is a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and potassium, and it is also low in calories. Kohlrabi is a popular vegetable in many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and the United States, and it is often grown in home gardens due to its ease of cultivation.
How to Start Growing KohlrabiKohlrabi grows best in well-drained soil with full sun exposure. Cover the seeds with soil and water thoroughly. Kohlrabi needs consistent moisture to grow properly. Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Kohlrabi needs regular fertilization. Once the seedlings reach a height of 2-3 inches, thin them to about 6 inches apart. This will give the kohlrabi enough room to grow. It takes kohlrabi 35-45 days to reach maturity, depending on the variety. Kohlrabi works great for succession planting because it matures quickly and is frost tolerant. Kohlrabi should be fully harvested before the heat of summer arrives.
Did You Know?The first European written record regarding kohlrabi is by the botanist Pietro Andrea Mattioli in 1554, who wrote that it had “come lately into Italy”. By the end of the 16th century, kohlrabi was commonly used all over Northern Europe.
Our Kohlrabi Varieties Add to cartKonan Kohlrabi
* Add to cartQuickstar Kohlrabi
* Add to cartWhite Vienna Kohlrabi
* Add to cartPurple Vienna Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi SpacingKohlrabi In-GroundRow Spacing – 18 to 24 inches
Plant Spacing – 6 to 8 inches
Planting Depth* – 1/4 inch
Kohlrabi Soil, Irrigation, & FertilizerSoil Requirements To Grow Kohlrabi* Well-draining soil * pH between 6.0 to 7.0 * Rich in organic materials * Good quality compost added to the soil If possible, plant where you have not grown related crops such as cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, collards, kale, mustard, turnip, or rutabaga for the past four years.
Kohlrabi Irrigation RequirementsKohlrabi plants need at least 1 inch of water per week. Using drip irrigation is always recommended to be sure that your plants are getting moisture directly to their root system. If you’re using conventional overhead watering techniques, try and use something like the Dramm Watering Can and water and fertilize at the base of the plant to keep moisture off the leaves.
Raised Bed & Container Fertilizer ScheduleSeveral Weeks Before PlantingTest your soil at your local extension office.
1 Week Before PlantingAfter adjusting soil pH to 6.0 – 7.0, mix 1 1/2 cups per 10 ft. of row of Hoss Complete Organic Fertilizer with your soil.
2 Weeks After PlantingSidedress 2 cups of Hoss Complete Organic Fertilizer per 10 ft. of row
Alternate Every 7 Days
Mix 1 tablet each of Dr. Joe All Purpose and 1 tablet of Dr. Joe Nutri Bubble into 1 gallon of water. Apply as a drench per 4 plants.
In-Ground Fertilizer ScheduleSeveral Weeks Before PlantingTest your soil at your local extension office.
1 Week Before PlantingAfter adjusting soil pH to 6.0 – 7.0, mix 1 1/2 cups per 10 ft. of row of Hoss Complete Organic Fertilizer with your soil.
2 Weeks After PlantingUsing the Hoss Fertilizer Injector, Mix 1 cup of Hoss Premium 20-20-20 Fertilizer -AND -1-2 cups of Hoss Micro-Boost Micronutrient Supplement per 20 ft. of row.
Alternate Every 14 DaysMix 1 cup of Hoss Premium Calcium Nitrate -AND – 1 to 2 cups of Hoss Micro-Boost Micronutrient Supplement per 20 ft. of row.
Non-Organic
Bug buster II– Aphids, Hornworms, Flea Beetle, Whiteflies, Cabbage Looper
Treat as needed using label instructions.
Common DiseasesNon-Organic Controls
Liquid cop – Downy Mildew, Powdery Mildew, Anthracnose, Alternaria Leaf Spot
Garden Phos –, Downy Mildew, Powdery Mildew; Anthracnose, Alternaria Leaf Blight
Fungi Max – Powdery Mildew
Vegetable, Flower, Fruit and Ornamental Fungicide – Downy Mildew, Powdery Mildew; Anthracnose, Alternaria Leaf Blight, Cercospora Leaf Spot
Harvesting, Curing, And Storing KohlrabiHarvesting KohlrabiKohlrabi is ready to harvest when the stem reaches a size of about 3 inches in diameter, or the size of a tennis ball. The vegetable should be firm and the skin should be smooth. Also, the stem should be succulent, tender, and sweet at this size. If allowed to become too large, it can become tough and bitter. Do not pick the vegetable in warm weather, as the root becomes woody. Use a sharp knife to cut the stem about 1 inch above the ground. Be careful not to damage the surrounding plants or the kohlrabi itself.
Storing KohlrabiOnce the kohlrabi is harvested, remove the leaves from the stem. You can use the leaves in salads or soups, or compost them. Kohlrabi can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Wrap it in a damp paper towel and store it in a plastic bag to keep it fresh. Harvested stems can be stored with other root crops in a cool, humid place or in the refrigerator for up to 2 to 4 weeks. You can also freeze kohlrabi after blanching. Remove the leaf stems and wash the stem thoroughly before storing. Bulbs should be peeled before eating as the outside is tough and not palatable.
Check Out Our Kohlrabi!SHOP NOW Kohlrabi Tips & TricksHealth and Wellness BenefitsKohlrabi is chock full of nutrients. While it is about 90% water, kohlrabi is very healthy. The vegetable has high amounts of Vitamin C, constituting 75% of a healthy adult’s DV. Kohlrabi also has moderate amounts of potassium, vitamin B6, phosphorous, magnesium, and manganese.
How to Eat it!When eaten raw, it has a lovely buttery, slightly sweet, nutty, but very mild flavor. Enjoy it in salads or on its own with a little salt and pepper. You can also dice it and roast them or steam them. Kohlrabi can be mashed as a replacement for mashed potatoes as well. The leaves are also edible and can be cooked and eaten similarly to collard greens.
Cultivating the Garden After Heavy RainsCultivating the Garden Area The overall reason for cultivating the garden area is to improve the soil for the next crop planting. Cultivating the garden allows you to break up the soil surface to enhance better penetration of water, air, and nutrients in the soil that plants need access to for all stages of growth.
Read More »July 15, 2019Making Muscadine Wine Straight from the GardenWhat are Muscadines? A staple crop of the South, muscadines can be used for a variety of ways such as fresh off the vine or used in the kitchen to make jelly, cobblers, and wine. The muscadines do best in warmer climates where temperatures don’t get below 10 degrees. Therefore they do best in the
Read More »December 19, 2019Improve Soils with Chickens and Cover CropsBuilding Up Soils in the Vegetable Garden On this week’s episode, Travis shows how he uses the chicken and cover crops to improve soils in the vegetable garden. He set up the poultry fence and added the chicken tractor inside the fencing to allow the chickens to cover more area in the garden than just
Read More »November 13, 2019