Growing Kohlrabi: How to Plant, Care, and Harvest Successfully

Choosing Your Kohlrabi Variety

First things first—deciding what type of kohlrabi you want to grow sets the tone for your planting experience. Two types capture most gardeners’ attention: green and purple varieties.

I lean towards the purple (Violetta), as I've noticed it's slightly sweeter, offers stunning visual appeal, and brings a bit of flair to the vegetable patch. Green varieties such as White Vienna are classic, tasty, and reliable producers.

Planting Your Kohlrabi Seeds or Seedlings

Timing matters here. Planting kohlrabi at the wrong moment can lead to disappointing, woody bulbs—and believe me, nobody enjoys gnawing on a tough tuber.

Kohlrabi thrives in cool weather, so it's ideal to plant in early spring, about 4–6 weeks before your last anticipated frost date, when soil temperatures hover around 45°F (7°C). Alternatively, you could plant in late summer, giving seedlings plenty of time to develop before frost returns.

Here's my go-to method:

• Pick a site with full sun exposure (minimum 6 hours daily).
• Loosen soil deeply—you want your soil fluffy, rich in organic matter, well-drained, and slightly acidic, ideally between pH 6.0 to 7.0.
• Direct-sow seeds at a depth of about ¼–½ inch (0.6–1.3 cm), spacing about 4 inches (10 cm) apart.
• Thin seedlings to around 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) apart as they grow, giving each plant room to flourish.

Caring for Your Kohlrabi Patch the Right Way

Kohlrabi won't test your patience—it grows fast and relatively fuss-free. Nonetheless, attention to detail leads to tasty rewards.

The Art of Watering Kohlrabi Properly

Consistent moisture ensures tender, juicy bulbs. Aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water weekly, supplementing rainfall with deep watering sessions.

Here's a hint from past experience: inconsistent watering leads to cracked bulbs or splits—I learned this the hard way my first planting season.

Feeding for Happy Plants

Since kohlrabi matures quickly (typically within 50–60 days), it appreciates nutrients readily available in the soil. Incorporate compost or aged manure at planting time to sustain healthy growth.

Watch out for excessive nitrogen, however, as that causes lush leaves but skimpy bulbs—the gardener's equivalent of all flash, no substance.

Common Kohlrabi Pest Management

Pests like cabbage worms, aphids, and flea beetles can throw a wrench into your crop’s success. Prevention beats cure—install floating row covers after planting to keep pests at bay or regularly inspect under leaves to catch infestations early.

If pests strike despite your best efforts, organic treatments like neem oil typically do the trick.

"Using floating row covers until harvest can prevent damage caused by cabbage loopers and worms. Studies show this simple step reduces infestation rates significantly, without chemically compromising your vegetables." – Colorado State University Extension

Harvesting Your Kohlrabi at Peak Flavor

Timing is everything—especially in harvesting kohlrabi. It's best harvested young, when bulbs measure 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) in diameter.

Trust me here, I've let them grow larger, hoping for a bigger yield, only to bite into tough, fibrous disappointment. Smaller, younger bulbs offer sweet, crisp flavors perfect raw or cooked.

Harvest is simple:

• Use a sharp knife or pruners to cut the bulb right above soil level.
• Trim leaves immediately—they're also edible and delicious in sautés or salads!

Storing Kohlrabi Post-Harvest

Fresh kohlrabi bulbs store well in your fridge's vegetable drawer, lasting several weeks when protected against moisture loss in perforated plastic bags. Leaves wilt faster—plan on using those within a few days.

For long-term storage, consider blanching and freezing sliced or cubed bulbs; they'll brighten winter dishes beautifully months later.

A Few Personal Reflections

Honestly, I overlooked kohlrabi for years until, on a whim, I planted a small patch one early spring. This odd little vegetable quickly became a staple in my garden due to its versatility and easygoing nature.

And here's something fascinating: according to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, kohlrabi consumption has increased by nearly 12% in just five years in the U.S., reflecting gardeners' growing recognition of its culinary potential and ease of cultivation.

Kohlrabi not only adds visual charm to your vegetable rows—it's genuinely tasty and uncomplicated. Once you've successfully grown and harvested your own, you might find, like I did, it secures a permanent spot in your garden rotation.

Growing kohlrabi rewards patience and a bit of grit. Start with healthy soil, sow early, and keep your plants watered and weed-free—simple, honest work. Mind the spacing; let each bulb breathe. Watch for pests like cabbage worms, and don’t be shy about pulling them off by hand. Harvest while bulbs are tender, before they swell tough and woody. Rotate with other brassicas such as cauliflower or broccoli to keep the ground healthy.

Fresh kohlrabi delivers crunch and sweetness straight from the dirt—an honest taste of the cool season. Give it a spot in your beds and you’ll get back more than just another vegetable.