Why this alien-looking vegetable deserves a permanent spot in your garden
In short: Kohlrabi looks like a floating saucer, but it is actually a swollen stem base. This versatile brassica offers a sweet, crisp flavor and can be harvested in as little as six weeks. Whether you want a summer treat or a winter staple, this fast-growing crop is surprisingly easy to manage.
Often mistaken for a root vegetable, kohlrabi is technically a swelling of the plant stem just above the ground. Its unique appearance has earned it comparisons to a Sputnik satellite or a flying saucer. Despite its otherworldly look, it is a close relative of broccoli and turnips, sharing a similar sweet, mild flavor profile. The plant is highly versatile in the kitchen; the bulb can be eaten raw in salads or coleslaws, while the young leaves are edible and can be cooked like greens.
Cultivation is straightforward, provided you choose the right variety for the season. Green, white, and purple-skinned types are available, with purple varieties often proving hardier and slower to mature, making them ideal for late-summer sowings that carry through to early winter. Because kohlrabi is a brassica, it should be integrated into your standard crop rotation. It thrives in sunny spots with fertile, moisture-retentive soil, though it is less nitrogen-hungry than many of its cabbage relatives.
Timing is the primary factor in success. Early spring sowings are best started indoors to avoid cold temperatures that trigger bolting—a premature flowering process that prevents the bulb from swelling and leads to a woody texture. In summer, you can sow directly outdoors. Maturity times vary by season, taking about 10 weeks in June and up to 14 weeks in autumn. For the best culinary experience, harvest while young and tender, before the bulb begins to elongate. The bulbs are frost-hardy down to about -6°C, allowing gardeners to keep them in the ground well into the colder months.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: When and How to Sow and Grow Kohlrabi
- Also: How to grow Kohl rabi | RHS Guide
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