Widespread in Germany and India, kohlrabi, whose English name kohlrabi derives from the German words for cabbage (kohl) and turnip (rübe), is a crunchy and versatile vegetable that actually resembles both cabbage and turnip. This sturdy annual is easy to grow in mild climates, and is a unique and delightful addition to any garden. You can learn how to plant and care for kohlrabi to give your crop the best chance of success.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Planting the kohlrabi
Step 1. Choose a variety of kohlrabi
Kohlrabi is a brassicacea (cruciferous), belonging to the cabbage family. Becoming more and more popular, kohlrabi is also available in different varieties, all easy to grow, with slight differences in appearance and ripening period. The biggest difference is whether to choose a green or purple variety.
- Kohlrabi varieties include Korridor and Winner, which ripen quickly, in around 50 days, compared to around 60 for some other varieties. Bright greenish in color, they are an attractive addition to a garden flowerbed.
- Purple kohlrabi varieties such as Azur Star and Kolibri are particularly insect resistant, due to the purple leaves on the plant, which keep insects away. As for the taste, you won't notice much difference.
- Conservation varieties such as Kossak, Superschmelz and Gigante are, as you can imagine, much larger than regular kohlrabi varieties. They will last longer in the cellar or refrigerator if prepared correctly. In terms of taste, these varieties are all very similar.
Step 2. Choose a location for kohlrabi seedlings
Kohlrabi should be planted in full sun, near other roots, such as potatoes, beets, onions. Kohlrabi is a big drinker and devourer, which means you'll need a good amount of water and fertile soil. It is usually recommended to plant five or six plants of the cabbage family for each member of the family. Sow this amount three times.
Kohlrabi should be kept in a separate part of the garden away from runner beans, tomatoes, and strawberries
Step 3. Prepare the soil for planting
Several weeks before the last spring frost, kohlrabi can be planted, which means you can start preparing your soil early. Kohlrabi should be planted in well-worked soil, enriched with compost. It is hardy in most conditions, although it excels in soil with a pH between 5, 5 and 6.8.
Good drainage is also helpful in avoiding mold and rust in your kohlrabi plants, so make sure you have an area of the garden that doesn't collect too much water
Step 4. Plant kohlrabi in cold weather
Kohlrabi is a hardy cultivar that should be planted about a month before the last frost in spring. Ideally, the plant is recommended to mature before the temperature reaches well above 24 degrees C, which means planting it early, between the first sowings, probably, in an area with a very hot summer. Kohlrabi ripens in 50-60 days.
- If you live in a place with temperate winters, it is also common to plant kohlrabi in late autumn to harvest it at the beginning of winter. The plant should be able to withstand autumn frosts.
- If the winter lasts a long time, you can start the kohlrabi in pots indoors, move the seedlings outdoors about a month before the last frost, and plant them later.
Step 5. Plant the seeds in even rows
Kohlrabi seeds should be sown in moist soil to a depth of 1.3 cm and approximately 2.5 cm apart, a single seed in each hole. Use your finger to make a small indentation in the ground, then cover the seeds with soil without pressing. Leave at least 2.5cm between plants, which you can thin out later.
Kohlrabi should be planted in rows, which should be spaced approximately 30cm apart to give them room to spread out and mature
Part 2 of 2: Caring for Plants
Step 1. Remove weeds carefully and regularly
When you see the seedlings starting to sprout, weed around them very carefully, paying particular attention to milkweed, thistle, and any other local weeds. Kohlrabi is easily defeated in the beginning and has a superficial root structure, as the bulb is above the ground. The most critical time for kohlrabi is in the first couple of weeks. Let them develop, then thin out.
Step 2. Thin and keep successful seedlings about 20cm apart
After a couple of weeks, the plants should be about 6 inches tall and you can start thinning out to give room for the more successful ones to grow. Carefully dig up the plants and replant them 20 cm apart, moving some to other places in the garden if necessary.
The vegetables of the young kohlrabi can be eaten raw, in salads, or they can be fried in a pan like any field vegetable. It's a unique, nutrient-rich way to add flavor to a dish
Step 3. Mulch the plants with compost
After thinning kohlrabi, it's important to provide some nitrogen and support structure, so you should put compost around the base of the kohlrabi to help it hold up and to enrich the soil with some nutrients. This can make a big difference between large, healthy bulbs and woody bulbs.
Step 4. Water deeply and frequently
Kohlrabi needs a lot of water, and grows well in relatively temperate or Mediterranean climates. If the soil is dry, poorly watered kohlrabi will become woody and unpleasant to eat. If the streaks on the bulb begin to appear dry, increase watering.
When watering, water the soil around the base of each bulb, not over the plants, as this can increase the chance of rot. This is true for most cabbages
Step 5. Check for beetle larvae
Kohlrabi and other kale can be infested with beetle larvae, and it's important to stay on top of these pests as the plants mature. You will notice the holes in the leaves and the egg clusters on the underside of the leaves. If this happens, move quickly.
- Wash the leaves with the egg clusters thoroughly, removing any eggs you find. It is common to "lift" the stems of kohlrabi leaves, tying them to keep the leaves off the ground. This can help keep the infestation at bay. Bacillus thuringiensis can be a solution if you have a serious problem.
- Keep an eye out for rot as well. "Yellow cabbage fusariosis" is easy to recognize, due to the yellowish-brown color that the leaves will take on. Completely remove infected plants.
Step 6. Collect the kohlrabi by pulling the entire plant
Kohlrabi is ready to be harvested when the stem reaches a diameter of 5-7.5 cm, and the bulbs are large and healthy looking. The bulbs of the different varieties will grow to different sizes, so also evaluate based on your judgment. If you leave it too long, the kohlrabi will become slightly woody and unsightly.
How long it takes for the plant to develop depends on the growing conditions and the specific variety you are growing
Step 7. Enjoy kohlrabi, raw or cooked
Kohlrabi has a crunchy texture and mild flavor that makes it a versatile, nutrient-rich food for your table. It's like a cross between a cabbage and an apple, sweet and tasty at the same time. Roast it with other root vegetables, bake it and make a kohlrabi puree, or serve it with other stir-fried vegetables.
Kohlrabi is eaten in Germany as a bar snack, seasoned with salt, sliced and served raw. Perhaps it is the best way to eat this crunchy vegetable, accompanied by a mug of beer
Advice
- Don't put kohlrabi in full sun if the soil is dry
- Water kohlrabi regularly to prevent wilting
- Keep it away from rabbits that eat it behind your back!
