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Crop Guide – Kohlrabi

Common Name Kohlrabi
Scientific Name Brassica oleracea

Uses Edible; Salads, Soups, Slaw (raw or cooked)

Crop Timeline

  • Transplants: Start seeds 6 weeks before transplanting;
    • Spring Planting: late February to mid-March
    • Fall Planting: mid-September

Planting tips

  • Fertilizer: Apply a complete fertilizer
  • Number of plants per square foot: 4
  • Growing structures: None
  • Frost protection: A frost blanket can extend the season in fall or allow for earlier planting in February

Harvest

  • Harvest 50-70 days after transplant
    • Harvest when kohlrabi “bulb” is 3-4 inches
    • Kohlrabi is a “one and done” crop. Pull out the whole plant; trim away root and leaves.
    • Store in refrigerator until ready to eat.
    • Peel away outer layer prior to consuming.

Pests 

  • None of significance

This crop guide information has been tailored to school garden use, particularly for Plant Hardiness Zone 7. Other resources you find may be different based on efficiencies of larger scale production systems or maximum harvest yield. If you have questions, feel free to contact Doug Vernon or your local Cooperative Extension office.