How to Grow Kohlrabi
Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes
Kohlrabi is a versatile brassica known for its swollen stem that tastes like a cross between cabbage and apple. Gardeners prize it for its crisp texture and ability to thrive in cool weather before summer heat arrives.
📷 Wikipedia: KohlrabiStarting Kohlrabi: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Kohlrabi is not usually started indoors.
Kohlrabi is best direct-sown in the garden rather than transplanted to avoid root disturbance.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. As a cool-season crop, sow seeds directly outdoors or start indoors two to six weeks before the last spring frost. Press seeds about an inch deep into the earth. Expect germination within five to ten days once conditions are favorable.
Space plants six to nine inches apart to ensure proper bulb development. While this variety grows low, keep soil consistently moist with moderate watering. Apply mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Feed lightly if growth seems sluggish, though they generally require minimal fertilizer.
Watch for aphids and cabbage moths; use row covers or insecticidal soap to manage them early. Prevent clubroot by ensuring well-drained soil. Harvest the swollen stems forty-five to sixty days after sowing when they reach a golf ball size. Cut them at the soil line with a sharp knife.
When to Plant Kohlrabi
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | April – May | June – July | August – September |
| Zone 2 | April – May | May – July | July – September |
| Zone 3 | March – April | May – June | July – October |
| Zone 4 | March – April | April – June | June – October |
| Zone 5 | February – March | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 6 | February – March | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 7 | February – March | March – May | May – November |
| Zone 8 | January – February | March – April | May – December |
| Zone 9 | January | February – March | April – December |
| Zone 10 | January | January – March | March – December |
| Zone 11 | January | January – February | February – December |
| Zone 12 | January | January – February | February – December |
| Zone 13 | January | January – February | February – December |
