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Brassicas

Kohlrabi growing guide

Unusual brassica with an edible swollen stem that tastes like a mild turnip-broccoli cross. Fast growing. Eat raw or cooked.

Photo reference

Use this real-world photo as the main plant reference, then compare it with the botanical drawings below for leaf, flower and harvest details.

Kohlrabi real-world photo reference (Brassica oleracea gongylodes)
Wikimedia Commons · Unknown · CC0
4-7 daysGermination
45-60 daysHarvest
15 cmSpacing
0.5 cmSow depth
FullSun
HardyFrost
2 cm/weekWater
6-7.5pH

Planting calendar by climate

Use these windows as a public guide. Plotera can personalise tasks around your saved garden, location and planting dates.

ClimateSowTransplant / PlantHarvest
TropicalApr - AugApr - AugMay - Oct
SubtropicalFeb - AugFeb - AugMar - Oct
MediterraneanFeb - SepFeb - SepMar - Nov
TemperateFeb - SepFeb - SepMar - Nov
CoolFeb - AugFeb - AugMar - Oct
AridMar - AugMar - AugApr - Oct

Botanical reference

Compare the whole plant first, then check the leaf, flower and harvest detail to identify what Kohlrabi should look like as it grows.

Kohlrabi whole plant

Whole plant

Overall shape, height, branching and growth habit.

Kohlrabi leaf detail

Leaf detail

Leaf shape, edges, colour and vein pattern.

Kohlrabi flower detail

Flower detail

Flower colour, structure and where blooms appear.

Kohlrabi harvest / detail

Harvest / detail

Fruit, root, seed, pod or the strongest identifying feature.

Cooking and eating ideas

A quick garden-to-table guide for using Kohlrabi after harvest.

Raw / fresh

Slice or grate young roots into salads, slaws, tacos, sandwiches, and snack plates.

Cooked

Roast, steam, saute greens, glaze roots, add to soups, or mash larger roots.

Store / preserve

Pickle, ferment, refrigerate, cellar-store, or freeze cooked portions.

Try: Raw crunch, Roasted roots, Pickled slices, Sauteed greens.

Good companions

Onion, Garlic, Beet

Avoid near

Tomato, Strawberry, Pole Bean

Growing note

Harvest when stems are 5-7cm diameter — larger ones become woody.

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