Growing kohlrabi in raised beds and the garden

Growing kohlrabi - what you need to know

The biennial cabbage vegetable belongs to the cruciferous family (Brassicaceae) and is originally derived from wild cabbage. In the first year, the tuber is formed, which we like to use for cooking. Only the second year is used for reproduction. This produces a branched inflorescence on which pods with seeds are formed.

It is not the flower that is eaten, as with broccoli or cauliflower, but the stem. However, the young kohlrabi leaves are also very healthy due to their high iron content and are delicious in dishes such as soups, salads and vegetable stir-fries.

Kohlrabi: location & soil

Kohlrabi is happy with a wide range of growing conditions. As a frugal, medium-feeder, it does not need as many nutrients as other cabbages. Nevertheless, it prefers a humus-rich and evenly moist soil. The tuber can cope with light conditions from sunny to semi-shady. Most varieties do not require a lot of space and can therefore be used as "gap fillers". However, there are also larger varieties, such as the aforementioned "Superschmelz", in which a single kohlrabi can weigh up to 8 kg/17.6 pd and still remain tender and tasty.

Sowing kohlrabi - here's how

If you want an early harvest, pre-cultivation is a good idea. From mid-February to early March, kohlrabi can be pre-cultivated in seed trays on the windowsill. The germination temperature is around 16 - 18 °C/60.8 - 64.4 °F, so you should not choose a place that is too cold. Once the seedlings have germinated, they like it rather cool (but not below 12 °C/53.6 °F). If the seedlings are too close together, you should prick out your kohlrabi seedlings. If you are aiming for a later harvest, you can sow and propagate until the beginning of July.

Our tip: Always sow staggered so that you can harvest fresh kohlrabi throughout the season. Because if the tubers stand too long, they start to become woody.

When to plant kohlrabi?

You can plant the first seedlings in your bed from the end of March. If you want to be on the safe side, wait until the beginning of April. Be careful not to plant the plants too deep, otherwise the kohlrabi tubers will rest on the ground and start to rot more quickly. If you harvest late, you can plant out until the beginning of August .

Kohlrabi in a raised bed

Kohlrabi also grows well in raised beds. As this medium-spreader copes relatively well with many conditions, there is not really too much to consider. To ensure that the tubers grow quickly, you can enrich your raised bed with fresh compost in the fall before you plant kohlrabi. This will provide the plant with sufficient nutrients. Important for the taste of the tuber: the consistency. As kohlrabi becomes woody relatively quickly if it is not supplied with an even supply of water, the following applies here: Water sufficiently. Raised beds usually dry out more quickly than normal beds on the ground. To counteract drying out, you can cover your raised bed with a layer of mulch. This protects against evaporation on hot days and keeps the soil moist for longer.

Mixed culture with kohlrabi

As kohlrabi are fast-growing, they are often used by knowledgeable gardeners as a catch crop. Kohlrabi can also be used as a preceding crop, as its growing season starts relatively early.
The plants can also be perfectly integrated into a mixed crop. There are a few things to bear in mind to avoid leaching the soil. In our article on mixed cultivation with cabbage, you will find tips for sensible mixed cultivation and crop rotation with kohlrabi.

Create your vegetable patch with companion plants

With our garden planner, you can easily plan a colorful mixed crop. Good and bad neighbors are displayed directly and you get tips on crop rotation!

Plan your vegetable patch

Good and bad neighbors for kohlrabi

• Good neighbors: beans, peas, potatoes, lettuce, leeks, radishes, salsify, celery, asparagus, spinach, tomatoes
• Bad neighbors: fennel, cucumbers

Important: Do not combine the tuber with other types of cabbage, such as kale or Brussels sprouts.

Garden plans with Kohlrabi

Here you will find different garden designs with kohlrabi in mixed cultivation:

Fertilizing kohlrabi

Kohlrabi is a medium feeder and therefore requires no additional fertilization. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to add a small amount of compost to the hole when planting in poor sandy soil. This not only keeps the soil more moist, but also makes it easier for the plant to get started in the open ground. Horn shavings also have a positive effect on the growth of kohlrabi.

Kohlrabi: pests & diseases

Caterpillar of the cabbage white butterfly

As with all types of cabbage, kohlrabi can be infested by the caterpillars of the cabbage white butterfly. Check the undersides of the leaves of your kohlrabi plants regularly, as this is where the moth attaches its eggs. The white butterfly is particularly attracted to your garden if you apply nettle slurry to strengthen your plants.

Cabbage white butterfly control and prevention

You can prevent infestation by planting tomatoes and celery next to your cabbage (rabi). If you plant later in the season, you can mulch with tansy or peppermint, if available. Both plants repel the moths. However, you can prevent infestation not only biologically, but also mechanically by using crop protection nets.

However, if it is already too late and the caterpillars are already there, it is worth collecting them by hand at an early stage. You can also use parasitic wasps as beneficial insects in your garden, as they are natural enemies of the cabbage white butterfly. These biological pest controllers can be ordered from various online stores.

Cabbage hernia in kohlrabi

Cabbage hernia is also a typical disease of all cruciferous plants (Brassicaceae). The fungal disease causes the cabbage to grow poorly and later, even with sufficient watering, the leaves droop and turn yellow.

Combat and prevent cabbage hernia

Cabbage hernia can be avoided by ensuring a balanced crop rotation. Take a cultivation break of around 4 years so that the soil does not become depleted and no crop-specific diseases develop. If you have symptomatic wilted cabbage plants in your garden despite the crop rotation, dig them up and check the roots. A typical symptom is tuberous thickening. To be absolutely sure that it really is the fungus, you need to cut the thick roots. If they are hollow, it is probably the cabbage gall weevil. If the roots are white and not hollow, it is most likely the cabbage hernia fungus. In both cases, you should unfortunately dispose of your plants as quickly as possible, otherwise other plants may be infested. But beware: the cabbage hernia fungus can also survive in compost and infect your plants again later.

Harvesting kohlrabi - When to harvest kohlrabi?

If you have successfully grown and cared for your kohlrabi, you can harvest it after approx. 6-8 weeks. Your bulb should then be about the size of a tennis ball (of course, there are also larger varieties). However, you now have to make a compromise: The younger you harvest your kohlrabi, the more tender it tastes. However, if you leave it longer, it will be bigger but also less tender. It is best to harvest the bulb directly before you process it, as it will also become tougher if stored for longer. To do this, simply cut the stem directly under the bulb with a knife and remove the leaves. As mentioned above, you can also use the tender kohlrabi leaves in your dishes.

Storing kohlrabi

If you can't eat your kohlrabi straight away, remove the leaves and wrap a damp cloth around the bulb. You can store them in the fridge like this for up to two weeks. Without the cloth, the vegetables should be processed within 2-6 days. You can find out more methods for preserving fruit and vegetables here.

We hope you now feel ready to get into the kohlrabi business and wish you a naturally successful harvest!

What experiences have you had with cabbage cultivation? Feel free to share them with us on social media or at [email protected].

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