Kohlrabi Growing Guide

All you need to know to grow successfully!

Plant Family:

Brassicaceae

Plant Type:

Annual

Typical Season:

Cool season

Typical Zones Grown In:

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Growing Difficulty:

Easy

Tips by Limitless Growth to Grow Kohlrabi with Success!

Kohlrabi is such an amazing crop to grow. It’s not all that common in the grocery store, but it should be! Most people only eat the bulb, but you can also eat the leaves! The bulb can be used raw in salads, you can use it as a starch substitute by roasting, boiling, sauteing, etc, or you can cream it…. really, the possibilities are endless and it’s delicious!

Kohlrabi is a member of the brassicas so it is prone to the white cabbage moths. To get around this we always recommend using a crop protector of some sort. You can also plant dill in the same bed and it can help deter the moths.

The following is a guide on how you can grow your own kohlrabi with success.

Planting Guidelines

The following are general guides to follow. However, nothing is set in stone. Feel free to experiment!

How to Start:

Direct Sow

When to Direct Sow:

April,May,July,August

When to Start Indoors:

Sprouting Time:

7-10 days

Soil Temperature (C):

10-30

Depth:

5mm (¼”) deep

Spacing (cm):

10-15cm (4-6″)

Row Spacing (cm):

30-45cm (12-18″)

Sun Exposure:

Full Sun, Part Shade

Maturity Time:

50-70 days

When To Harvest:

June, July, September, October, November, August

How to Harvest:

Spring-sown kohlrabi will get larger than tennis balls in fair soil, but if you pick them when they are still less than 5-8cm (2-3″) in diameter they will be sweet and tender. Fall-grown kohlrabi can grow larger yet stay tender. Kohlrabi is frost-hardy, and may last well beyond Christmas in the garden.

Health Benefits

Growing your own food is one of the best things you can do for your health. Let’s check out some of the health benefits!

Is It Edible?

Yes

Edible Parts:

The entire plant. Leaves, stems, bulb

Potential Health Benefits:

Gut Health, Heart Health, Immune Health

Tips to Growing Organically

Growing without the use of pesticides and herbicides is easier than you may think and it’s better for the environment!

Companion Plants:

Kale, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage , Collards, Turnip, Beet, Cucumber, Onion

What Plants to Avoid:

Bean, Strawberry, Tomato

Common Pests:

Protect from cabbage moths and other insect pests with floating row cover.

Common Disease:

Prevent disease with a strict 4-year crop rotation, avoiding planting Brassicas in the same spot more than once every four years.

Bonus Grow Tips:

The stem can become a little tough to eat when it matures too long, but overall the entire plant is edible and delicious. Use the leaves in salad and use the bulb as a potato substitute or dice it up and put it in your salad raw.

Still Have Questions? Chat With a Pro!

The Limitless Growth Marketplate connects you with local organic growers who can help via zoom or in person!

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