Kohlrabi – Early White Vienna

Brassica oleracea gongylodes group

Kohlrabi is a part of the cabbage family. There are no known wild varieties, but there is a range of domesticated varieties with a varying number of days-until-harvest.

Care

Some notes indicate that it will tolerate some frost and is somewhat drought tolerant after the fruits grow, however fruit needs to be formed during the wet season. pH range is 4.5 to 7.5. Part to full sun; an excellent plant to grow in the shade of a larger one.

Produce and Uses

The fruit grows just above ground, like a leek or onion. Harvest when they’re golf ball to tennis ball sized or the fruit can become woody as it matures; apple size for the gigantor varietal. The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. The leaves can be used while young either as a stir-fry green or in salads; some people don’t like the taste and I can’t say I blame them.

My Notes

  • The Ferry-Morse package says 7-10 days for germination, but my seeds had sprouted by the 3rd day in the indoor nursery tray. Almost all seeds sprouted.
  • 2009 Batch 1
    • Seed; Planted 23Jan09
    • first sprout 26Jan09; sprouted: 100%
    • First planting was in potting soil instead of sprouting mix indoors without grow lights, which produced very leggy seedlings. I tried to save them, but could not.
  • 2009 Batch 2
    • Seed; Planted 12Feb09 in seed mix as part of the great sprout off
    • sprouted 15Feb09.
    • Seedlings were leggy due to insufficient light, I disposed of all but two, which were planted in the garden deeply in an effort to save them. These produced tasty, tasty fruit.
  • 2009 Batch 3
    • Seed; planted 25Feb09 in the garden.
    • Sprouted 1March09.
  • 2009 Batch 4

Pictures

Kohlrabi bulb forming as of 16Apr09

Kohlrabi bulb forming as of 16Apr09