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Kohlrabi

Brassica oleracea Gongylodes group

INTRODUCTION

Kohl Rabi is certainly not the prettiest of vegetables but is, however, popular and versatile.

The name is derived from German, Kohl meaning Cabbage and Rabi meaning Turnip.

It has been grown for centuries and is suited to both outdoor and protected cultivation.

Kohlrabi is resistant to stem splitting, over enlargement and bolting and when cooked, has a nutty flavour. It can also be eaten raw and works well grated into a salad.

Soil Preparation

Kohlrabi prefers fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. The growing area should be sunny and the soil should be well consolidated.

Additional garden lime may be required to maintain a soil pH of around 6.5. Do not grow in a freshly manured site as this addition of excess nitrogen can cause excessive foliage growth.

Manure ground well in advance of planting.

Sowing & Planting

It is inadvisable to sow Kohlrabi directly into a seedbed for later transplanting. They need a reasonable temperature to germinate and dislike being transplanted.

A better method of raising plants is to sow into modules or seed trays. Sow green varieties from March until June and purple varieties from mid-summer until mid-autumn for winter harvesting. cover to a depth of approx 0.5 cm.

Keep at a temperature of between 5c and 15c. When seedlings are large enough to handle, plant out.

Planting out should be from late April for autumn harvest and during July for winter varieties, at a spacing of 20cm/8 inches between plants and between rows.

Ensure plants are deep enough and well-firmed in, they dislike loose soil.

Kohlrabi is well suited to covered production in polytunnels or under cloches for earlier harvests and is also a suitable subject for growing in containers if short on space.

Growing & General Cultivation

After planting, water well. Once established Kohlrabi will require regular watering to maintain growth. If they become dry, they will also become 'woody'.

Protect establishing plants with netting to guard against attack from pigeons.

Keep growing crops weed-free. Feed twice during the growing season and mulch plants if possible.

Try and avoid growing Kohlrabi or any other Brassica plant type on the same ground the following year. Crop rotation is an important factor in helping to protect against disease.

Pests & Diseases

Kohlrabi matures fairly quickly and as a result, doesn't suffer from many of the pests and diseases that affect other Brassicas, including Clubroot.

Cabbage Root Fly can be a problem. The larvae, resulting from eggs laid at the base of stems, will eat roots causing the plant to wilt and die. Fitting felt collars around each plant stem will prevent eggs from being laid.

Flea Beetles can chew holes in the leaves which in turn can stunt growth. Chemical application may be required - See product directory for details.

Birds can be a problem, particularly to young plants, so take adequate precautions.

Harvesting

Kohlrabi is a quick-growing crop and should be ready for harvesting within two months of sowing.

The ideal size at maturity is between a golf and tennis ball, left to get any larger and they will become woody and unpalatable.

Kohlrabi suits, boiling, steaming, mashing and are great for chips. As an alternative, simply grate and use raw, particularly in salads.

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