The crisp and versatile vegetable is named after the German words for cabbage and turnip and is popular in Germany and India.As an annual, this hardy biennial is often grown.It is easy to grow in mild climates, making it a great addition to any garden.To give your crop the best chance of success, you can learn to plant and care for kohlrabi.
Step 1: Pick a variety of kohl.
There is a brassica in the cabbage family.kohlrabi is easy to grow, with slight variations in look and time to maturity.Whether or not you pick a green or purple variety is the biggest difference.The Korridor and Winner are green kohlrabi varieties that mature in about 50 days, compared to 60 for other varieties.They make an attractive addition to a garden bed.The purple leaves on the plant keep insects away from it.You won't notice much difference in taste.Storage varieties like Kossak, Superschmelz, and Gigante are larger than the regular varieties of kohlrabi.They will last longer in the fridge or cellar.These varieties are very similar in taste.
Step 2: Pick a planting location.
Close to other roots, like potatoes, beets, onions, kohlrabi should be planted in full sun.They need a good amount of water and fertile soil to be big drinkers and feeders.You should plant five or six plants for each member of the household.You should sow three times the amount.Pole beans, tomatoes, and strawberries should not be in a separate part of the garden.
Step 3: The soil should be prepared for sowing.
Several weeks before the last frost of spring, you can start tilling your soil.The soil should be well-tilled and enriched with compost.It thrives in soils with a pH between 5.5 and 6.8.Make sure you have an area of the garden that doesn't collect too much water in order to avoid rot in your plants.
Step 4: The plant is in the cool weather.
About a month before the last frost in the spring, kohlrabi should be planted.Ideally, you want the plant to mature before the temperature gets much over 75 F, which means you will want to plant it early, among your earliest sows, in an area with a very hot summer.In 60 days, kohlrabi will be mature.If you live in a warm place, it is common to plant kohlrabi in late autumn to harvest in early winter.The plant should be able to survive frosts.If the winter is long, you can plant the plants after the first frost if you start them in pots indoors.
Step 5: There is an even row of seeds.
The seeds should be sown in moist soil with a single seed in each hole.If you want to cover the seeds with soil, use your finger to make a small indent in the ground.You'll thin out later if you leave at least an inch between each plant.To give them room to spread out and mature, they should be planted in rows.
Step 6: It's important to weed carefully and regularly.
Weed around your starts carefully, paying special attention to milkweed, thistle, and any other local weeds.Kohlrabi have a shallow root structure since the bulb is above ground.The first couple of weeks are critical for kohlrabi.Allow them to flourish, then thin them out.
Step 7: Thin successful plants are about 12 cm apart.
After a couple of weeks, the plants should be about 6 inches (15.2 cm) tall and you can start thinning them out to give them room to grow.If necessary, move the plants to other places in the garden, so they're about 8 inches (20.3 cm) apart.Young kohlrabi can be eaten raw, in salads, or thrown into stir-frys.It's a great way to make a meal.
Step 8: Plants are mulched with compost.
Nitrogen support and structure should be provided to the plants when they are 4–5 inches tall.Pack some compost around the base of kohlrabi to help hold them up.This can be the difference between healthy looking bulbs and inedibles.
Step 9: Water is deeply and frequently.
In Mediterranean climates, kohlrabi need lots of water.kohlrabi will become unpleasant to eat if the soil is dry.Increase your waterings if the split striations on the bulb start to look dry.Don't water on top of the plants if you want to increase the chance of rot.This works for most cabbage.
Step 10: Cutworms should be watched closely.
As your plants mature, it's important that you stay on top of the pests like cutworms.There are holes on the underside of the leaves.Move quickly if you find this.Remove the eggs from the leaves as you find them.The leaf stems of the kohlrabi can be collared to get the leaves off the ground.This can help keep the problem under control.If you have a serious problem, you can use Bt.Keep an eye out for rot as well.The leaves will take on a brownish color, making it easy to identify.Remove the plants from the area.
Step 11: Pull up the whole plant.
After about 45-60 days, kohlrabi is usually ready to be eaten.The stem is 2–3 inches in diameter and the bulbs are big and healthy.You will partially be using your judgement because the bulbs of different varieties will grow in different sizes.kohlrabi will become unpleasant if you let them go too long.The amount of time it takes to grow depends on a number of factors.
Step 12: Enjoy raw or cooked kohlrabi.
They have a crisp texture and a mild flavor that make them a great food for your table.It's like a cross between a cabbage and an apple.It can be roasted, baked, or served in a mixed vegetable sauté.In Germany, a bar snack is dressed with salt, cut into slices, and served raw.The best way to eat this vegetable is with a mug of beer.