Today we’re going to learn the basic steps of how to grow kohlrabi in your garden. If you’re a fan of unique and versatile vegetables, kohlrabi deserves a spot in your garden.
With its crunchy texture and mild flavor, this member of the cabbage family is a great addition to salads, stir-fries, and even roasted dishes. The best part is that growing kohlrabi from seed to harvest is a rewarding and pretty straightforward process.
Kohlrabi Care Guide
If you’re looking to add something unique to your garden and dinner table, kohlrabi is an excellent choice. With its unusual appearance and good flavor, this member of the cabbage family offers a fun twist to your dishes.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, growing kohlrabi from seed to harvest pretty easy to do.
Let’s talk about some useful kohlrabi planting tips for a successful harvest.
Steps For Growing Kohlrabi From Seed In Your Own Backyard:
Choosing the Right Variety
Before getting started, it’s important to choose the kohlrabi variety that suits your climate and taste. Popular varieties include:
- Early White Vienna
- Purple Vienna
- Gigante
Preparing the Soil
Let’s talk about the best soil for kohlrabi to ensure healthy growth:
Kohlrabi thrives in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH level between 6.0 and 7.5. Start by clearing the area of weeds and debris, then loosen the soil using a garden fork or tiller.
Add organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil fertility and structure.
Sowing the Seeds
Kohlrabi can be grown directly from seeds, so choose a sunny spot in your garden or use containers if you have limited space.
Sow the seeds about half an inch deep and one to two inches apart, leaving rows approximately 12 to 18 inches apart. Lightly water the soil after sowing, and make sure it stays consistently moist throughout the germination period.
Nurturing the Seedlings
Kohlrabi seeds typically germinate within 5 to 10 days. Once the seedlings break through the ground, thin them to keep a spacing of 4 to 6 inches between plants.
This makes sure they have enough room to grow and develop well. Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist, especially during dry spells.
You Might Also Like: Seed Starting Indoors: Must Have Seed Starting Supplies
Providing Adequate Care
To ensure healthy growth, it’s very important to care for your kohlrabi plants right.
Here are a few care tips:
- Watering: Kohlrabi prefers consistent moisture but be careful not to overwater, as that can lead to root rot. Aim for about one inch of water a week, either from rainfall or irrigation.
- Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch around the plants to retain soil moisture, suppress weed growth, and maintain an even soil temperature.
- Fertilization: Kohlrabi benefits from regular feeding. Apply a balanced organic fertilizer or compost tea every three to four weeks to support healthy growth.
- Pest and Disease Control: Monitor your plants for common pests like aphids, cabbage worms, and flea beetles. Use organic pest control methods such as hand-picking or using insecticidal soaps when necessary. Proper crop rotation can also help prevent disease build-up.
You Might Also Like: Using Flowers As Natural Pest Control In The Garden
Harvesting Kohlrabi
Now let’s discuss harvesting kohlrabi at the peak of freshness:
Depending on the variety, kohlrabi plants usually take 45 to 60 days from seed to maturity. Harvest the bulbs when they’re around two to three inches in diameter.
Use a sharp knife to cut the swollen stem just above ground level. For a continuous harvest, pick the larger bulbs first and let the smaller ones to grow larger before harvesting those.
Enjoying Your Homegrown Kohlrabi
Now comes the most rewarding part—eating your bounty! Kohlrabi can be enjoyed both raw and cooked.
Peel the outer skin to reveal the tender flesh, and then slice or dice it for salads, slaws, or as a crunchy snack. It can also be steamed, roasted, stir-fried, or added to soups and stews.
In A Nutshell
- Start by selecting quality kohlrabi seeds and gather necessary seed starting supplies.
- Plant the seeds following the recommended spacing and depth.
- Provide the right growing conditions, such as sunlight, watering, and fertilizing.
- Monitor the growth of your kohlrabi plants and address any issues that arise.
- Once the kohlrabi bulbs reach maturity, it’s time to harvest them.
- Prepare your kohlrabi for eating or storage according to your desired recipes.
Roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty, and enjoy growing and savoring your own homegrown kohlrabi.
Experiment with different recipes and preparations to fully appreciate the crunchy texture and mild flavor of this vegetable.
Leave a Reply