Kohlrabi
How to sow kohlrabi successfully under cover?
To sow kohlrabi successfully under cover, it's important to sow in spring, around March. Use individual containers such as cups filled with good quality potting soil. Sow the seeds about 1 cm deep and a few centimetres apart. Make sure you keep the soil moist by watering regularly without getting the substrate too wet.
Then place your seedlings in a bright spot, but avoid direct sunlight which could burn the young plants. Make sure you also maintain a constant temperature of around 18°C. As soon as the plants are a few centimetres tall, you can transplant them into the ground, making sure that there is a spacing of around 30 cm between each plant. If necessary, protect them with a forcing veil for the first few weeks.
By following these simple tips, you'll be able to grow beautiful, tasty and healthy kohlrabi, without using chemical fertilisers.
How to sow kohlrabi successfully outdoors?
For successful outdoor sowing of kohlrabi, we recommend doing it in spring, when temperatures start to warm up. First prepare the ground by carefully weeding and working it deep to encourage rooting. Then choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil.
Sow the kohlrabi seeds about 1 to 2 cm deep, spacing them about 30 cm apart. Cover them lightly with soil and tamp gently. Be sure to keep the soil constantly moist, but without too much standing water to prevent root rot.
It's important to regularly monitor growing kohlrabi plants to eliminate weeds and insect pests. You can also mulch around the plants to conserve moisture and prevent competition from weeds. By following these simple tips, you'll be able to harvest delicious kohlrabi from your garden without using chemical fertilisers.
How do I plant and grow kohlrabi?
To grow kohlrabi, it is best to sow directly in the ground from April onwards, when there is no risk of frost. The soil should be well-drained, rich in organic matter and slightly acidic. It is important not to use chemical fertilisers to encourage natural, environmentally-friendly growing.
If you prefer to transplant kohlrabi plants rather than sow seeds, be sure to plant them when they have reached a height of around 10 cm. Space the plants about 30 cm apart to allow them to develop properly.
During the growing season, make sure the soil is always moist, but not soggy. Mulch around the plants to conserve moisture and limit the spread of weeds. Finally, keep an eye out for any pests and diseases, encouraging the presence of auxiliary insects if possible to limit the use of pesticides.
When to harvest kohlrabi
Kohlrabi can be harvested from summer through to autumn. To harvest, simply pull gently on the vegetable to detach it from the root. It's important not to pull it off roughly so as not to damage the root and to allow for better preservation.
After harvesting, it is advisable to store kohlrabi in a cool, dry place. It can keep for up to several weeks if stored in optimum conditions.
It is also advisable to take care not to leave kohlrabi in the ground for too long once they are ready to harvest, as this can lead to a deterioration in the quality of the vegetable.
Kohlrabi
- Type : Vegetables
- Subtype : Leafy vegetables
- Botanical Family : Brassicaceae (cruciferous)
Characteristics
- Lifecycle : Annual
- Exposure : Full Sun
- Frost Hardiness : Frost Resistant
- Cultivation Difficulty : Medium
- Adult Height : 30 cm
Sowing & Planting
- Greenhouse Growing : Not Required
- Sowing Depth : 0.5 cm
- Plant Spacing : 20 cm
- Row Spacing : 30 cm
Maintenance
- Maintenance : Low
- Water Requirements : Moderate
Seeds
- Soil Type : Humus-rich
- Soil pH Preference : Neutral
- Pest Sensitivity : Moderate
- Disease Sensitivity : Moderate
- Weed Sensitivity : Moderate
- Pollination : Insect-pollinated
- Propagation : Sowing