Looking to grow beautiful, healthy kohlrabi in your garden? You’ve come to the right place! This easy-to-grow cool-season vegetable is crisp, mild, and incredibly nutritious. Follow this guide to learn how to plant, grow, and harvest kohlrabi successfully.

QUICK FACTS

• Latin Name: Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes
• Season: Cool season crop
• Exposure: Full sun
• Ideal Soil pH: 6.0–6.8
• Family: Brassicaceae

ABOUT KOHLRABI

Sometimes referred to as a German turnip, kohlrabi is rich in vitamin C and an excellent source of potassium. Its flavour is similar to mild cabbage, with a crisp, crunchy texture. Kohlrabi is delicious eaten raw, added to salads, or lightly cooked.

PLANTING

• Direct seed outdoors as soon as weather and soil conditions permit
• Sow seeds 5 mm (¼") deep
• Space plants 10–15 cm (4–6") apart
• Space rows 30–45 cm (12–18") apart
• Cover seed lightly with soil

SOIL & FERTILITY

Average garden soil in a sunny location is ideal. Kohlrabi is a moderate to heavy feeder and performs best in humus-rich soil amended with composted manure.

Mix ¼–½ cup of a complete organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each plant at planting time to support steady growth.

HARVESTING

• Spring-sown kohlrabi should be harvested when bulbs reach 5–8 cm (2–3") in diameter
• Smaller bulbs are sweeter and more tender
• Fall-grown kohlrabi can grow larger while remaining tender
• Frost-hardy and often sweeter after light frost

DISEASES & PESTS

Protect plants from cabbage moths and other insect pests using floating row cover. Prevent disease by following a strict 4-year crop rotation and avoiding planting Brassicas in the same location more than once every four years.

COMPANION PLANTING

Kohlrabi grows well alongside beets, Brassicas, cucumbers, and onions. Avoid planting near peppers, pole beans, strawberries, and tomatoes.

READY TO START GROWING?

Browse our selection of high-quality kohlrabi seeds and get everything you need to grow fresh, crisp vegetables at home.

Shop now at T&T Seeds for the best selection of seeds, plants, and gardening supplies.

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