Brassica oleracea

Cultivation

Grow among other plants. It can be sown directly in the garden, but usually it is cultivated from seedlings. Sow a few plants several times. It can grow successfully when temperatures reach 10 °C (50 °F) during the day and 5 °C (41 °F) during the night.

Distance between plants

30 cm (12 in) between rows and at least 20 cm (8 in) between plants in a row. It can also be planted among other crops that go well with it.

Location

Sunny.

Amount

Approx. 10 plants per person.

Time of planting

February-mid August for seedlings. It germinates in 10 days.

Fertilization

With home compost. Grow in the second field. Be careful about the lack of boron. It needs less fertilization when grown among beans or peas.

Watering

It is sensitive to the lack of water, so water regularly to 20 cm (8 in) deep.

Kohlrabi’s good neighbors

Legumes, lettuce, beetroot, cucumbers, celery, onions, black salsify, potato, Swiss chard, pepper, radish, asparagus, mint, thyme, chamomile, cumin.

Kohlrabi’s bad neighbors

Tomato.

Diseases and pests

It is not very sensitive. If attacked, use the same methods as with cabbage.

Kohlrabi’s storage

Pick the swollen stems when they reach approx. 5 cm (2 in) thick, or earlier in summer, as they lignify later. Store them in plastic bags up to three weeks in the fridge. They last up to three months in a moist and cool basement.

Food

Use young, meaty swollen stem and leaves (like leafy greens, for juices and in different dishes). It contains the majority of vitamins and minerals.

Important

It doesn’t grow well in acidic soil. If it lacks moisture, the tubers burst.

Miscellaneous

It is also called German turnip or turnip cabbage, because its swollen stem resembles a turnip, but it shouldn’t be confused with rutabaga (Swedish/yellow turnip). There are white and red varieties. The red ones are less sensitive and contain some more beneficial substances.