A fellow member of thebrassicafamily , kohlrabi is a in earnest underrated harvest . Granted , it may look a little strange to those who are n’t familiar with it , but this delicious veggie , which taste like a mark between acabbageand a turnip , is fearless , adaptable , and extremely loose to get .
Growing Kohlrabi: A Quick Snapshot
When to Sow – Mar - Aug
When to Plant – Apr - Aug
When to Harvest – Jun - Dec
Average Yield per works – 150 g
Spacing – 15 curium
profundity – 1 cm
How to Grow Kohlrabi at Home
Many mistake kohlrabi for a root craw , but it ’s in reality a swollen-headed part of the base that ’s eat . It ’s not a demanding works to domesticate – meet its canonic requirements and your plants will need very piddling maintenance throughout the grow season .
Growing Requirements for Kohlrabi
Being a hardy , nerveless - weather harvest , Brassica oleracea gongylodes does best when it matures in the springiness or the autumn . temperature between5 - 24 ° like what you need for optimal emergence . If temperature get much hotter , the smack of your harvest home will be affected .
In term of sun , kohlrabi does best when it receives aroundsix hour of sun a day . That said , it will grow well in partial shade too , although it may take longer to age .
When it comes to grime , turnip cabbage is n’t fussy . Unlike other brassicas , it will happily tolerate poorer quality dirt . Depth is n’t too important either , since it ’s the stem , rather than the theme , that ’s harvested . While that may be the case , attempt to verify that the soil you grow your kohlrabi in iswell - draining .
How to Grow Kohlrabi from Seed
The easiest way to get Brassica oleracea gongylodes from semen is by lineal sowing outside . you may start to do this aboutthree weeks before your last spring frost . Of course , if you desire to extend your growing season , then start out them indoors a little in the first place will give you a crop sooner .
Successional sowingis another thing to believe when growing turnip cabbage . Since the plants mature relatively quickly , aim to inseminate some seeded player every 2 - 3 week to insure regular harvesting .
How to Sow Kohlrabi in Modules Indoors:
It will take aboutten day for your kohlrabi seeds to shoot . Once they do , move them somewhere burnished and keep them well - watered . They ’ll ask to stay indoors for about three to four weeks before you’re able to plant them out , and they most likely wo n’t demand to be potted up during this clock time .
How to Direct Sow Kohlrabi Seeds:
Once your kohlrabi seedlings are about 2.5 centimeter tall , thin them outso that there ’s about 15 cm of outer space between each one .
How to Plant Kohlrabi Outside
Once your indoor - sown kohlrabi plants are about3 - 4 weeks older , you may plant them out . You ’ll need to indurate them off first to acclimate them to outdoor conditions , but they should adapt pretty speedily . Do n’t occupy if you ’re still expecting a few spring frosts – your plant life should tolerate these just all right , so long as they ’re swooning frosts .
Prepare your growing orbit by making sure that it ’s weed - free . Then , dig small holes in the land that are just slimly larger than the stem ball of your seedlings . Keep each kettle of fish at least 15 curium aside . Place your seedlings into their unexampled homes . check that that you implant them at the same astuteness as they were in their modules . Since it ’s the stem that ’s harvested , immerse this too deep will get it to rot .
Once planted , cover the roots over with grime . Firm the territory down and then water well .
How to Plant Kohlrabi in a Greenhouse
Although turnip cabbage is a nerveless - weather condition crop , the slower - maturing varieties , which are sown later in the year , do well ina greenhouse . That say , you ’ll need to time things right – you do n’t want your plant maturate in a glasshouse in the middle of the vivid summer warmth .
You have two main choice . The first is tosow your kohlrabi seeds into your greenhouse seam in other spring , before transplanting the seedlings outside . Alternatively , wait until mid - summertime before sowing some fall / wintertime potpourri in your glasshouse bed . The extra warmness and protection provided by your glasshouse will extend your grow time of year , enable you to glean your crop well into the winter .
Additionally , you could also regard growing kohlrabi in pots . This allow you to move them in and out of your greenhouse as needed , which is especially useful for those who do n’t have much greenhouse space . A container that ’s around 40 cm bass and wideshould be sufficient . When growing kohlrabi in pots , you could keep the plants a little nearer together to maximize space , but be aware that this will ensue in smaller incandescent lamp .
How to Care for Kohlrabi
As mentioned , Brassica oleracea gongylodes is generally an easy plant to care for . Here ’s what you need to do :
Watering Kohlrabi
Although drought - patient of to an extent , Brassica oleracea gongylodes does best when give a regular supply of H2O throughout its grow time of year . Never allow the dirt to dry out out – if it does , your turnip cabbage staunch will turn woody and acrimonious .
Another full stop worth mentioning is that you should never water the genuine stems of your Brassica oleracea gongylodes plants . This can cause them to rot , while also encouraging other disease . Instead , always purpose your weewee at the grease around your industrial plant , seek to forestall any water from splashing up as much as possible .
Feeding Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi is quite a heavy feeder . Even if your soil was of a good quality to start with , veritable plant food coating will still help to boost increase . This is even more of import if you plant your kohlrabi in pitiable territory – a lack of nutrients will prevent those stems from swelling .
A worldwide - purpose liquid fertiliseris all that you need for your Brassica oleracea gongylodes plants . Apply this every two to three calendar week after planting out . If your seeds were direct seeded , then start fertilising a month after they ’ve germinated .
Weeding and Mulching Kohlrabi
Brassica oleracea gongylodes grows very quickly , imply thatweed control is most indispensable while the plants are still unseasoned and humble . After this , they should handle to outgrow any grass that pop up around them .
Mulchingyour kohlrabi works would also be beneficial . Not only will this help to prevent weed growth , but it will also keep your Brassica oleracea gongylodes roots cool and moist , which is precisely what you want for maximum increase . Ideally , use an organic mulch , such as Gunter Grass clip orcompost . As this give way down , it will also feed in your stain , and therefore your plants too .
How to Harvest Kohlrabi
The secret to arise Brassica oleracea gongylodes plant that are sore , nutty , and sweet is to glean them at the good time . They try best when they’reabout the size of it of a golf ball , intend just 3 - 5 atomic number 96 in diameter . The larger they grow , the tougher they ’ll get – once those stems are more than 7 - 8 centimetre in diameter , your kohlrabi wo n’t be very palatable , no matter how well you cook it .
harvest kohlrabi is easy – simplygrab hold of a swollen stem and mildly ease / lift the entire plant out of the ground . Be measured not to disturb the ascendent of any other turnip cabbage plants rise nearby .
While you’re able to lop the roots off after harvest , do n’t be too hasty in throwing those leave out . Just like other brassicas , the leaves are edibleand can be cooked in the same way askale .
How to Store Kohlrabi
Successionally sowing your Brassica oleracea gongylodes seed mean that you should n’t end up with a surfeit that want recollective - full term depot . Your plants will happily remain in the ground until the end of the class – the common cold will stop them from develop , which will foreclose them from turning woody .
Freshly - cull turnip cabbage can be lay in in the fridge for a few weeks . The best way to do this is by trimming off the theme and leaves , and then wrap the bulb in some dampish theme towels before direct everything into an air - tight bag or container .
Alternatively , if foresighted - terminus storage is what you ’re after , your turnip cabbage harvest can be freeze . You ’ll need to first slice off the beginning and tops . Then , slicing or cube the bulb , before blanching and block . It will be good to use for about one year .
How to Prepare & Cook Kohlrabi
If you ’ve never cooked with Brassica oleracea gongylodes before , it can seem a little foreign at first . However , give it a try once and it will presently become your new favorite veggie .
The first whole step is to pare off the beginning and leave . Then , slit it in half , and then once more into poop . The centre of each medulla oblongata contains a tough core , so use a penetrating knife to cut this out .
After this , use a vegetable peeler to flake off the tough skin from your quarters . you may do this with larger pieces too , but quarters run to be the easiest to cover . Then , either slice , die , or grate your kohlrabi , depending on how you contrive to use up it .
Many do n’t earn thatkohlrabican be eat natural . only slit it thinly or grate it up and then supply it to asalador slaw . Alternatively , if you would prefer to cook it , some tasty dishes to try are :
Common Kohlrabi Problems
Brassicas are know for being plagued with pest and diseases . In a way of life , this apply to kohlrabi too , However , the plant does n’t tend to be regard quite as much as other brassicas , such as cabbages . Some of the chief issues to keep an eye out for include :
Popular Kohlrabi Varieties to Grow
There are two independent types of turnip cabbage . Early motley , which tend to be green in people of colour , are ordinarily ready to harvest about 15 weeks after sowing . On the other manus , slower - mature variety , which are purple in vividness , take a brace of months , but can be stored in the reason over the winter . Ideally , choose a admixture of both to stretch your growing season out for as long as potential .
Some of the best miscellany to consider are :
Conclusion
Considering how adaptable and fast - growing these plants are , it ’s surprising that turnip cabbage is n’t more wide get . If this is a vegetable that does n’t yet boast in your diet , it ’s time to make a change – if you enjoy eating brassicas , then chances are that you ’ll sleep together turnip cabbage . Plus , in increase to being toothsome both raw and cooked , this veg is also packed with a high absorption of fundamental nutrients , wee it a very worthwhile industrial plant to have around .
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