Grow Kohlrabi In Your Garden

You can grow kohlrabi in your garden. We tried it for the first time a few years ago. It has a hint of a licorice smell and flavor--something fun and different. David's Garden Seeds® sells kohlrabi seeds.

If you like trying at least one new crop every year, you should give kohlrabi a shot. It looks odd, tastes mild and fresh, and grows fast. When you grow kohlrabi in your garden, you add something fun, useful, and a little unexpected to your planting plans.

First, let’s clear up a common mix-up. Kohlrabi does not taste like black licorice. It has a crisp, juicy flavor that is more like broccoli stem, cabbage, or a mild turnip, often with a slight sweetness. If you have never tried it, that is good news, because it is much more flexible in the kitchen than licorice would be.

Kohlrabi is a cool-season vegetable in the cabbage family. It forms a round, swollen stem just above the soil line. That bulb-like part is the piece you eat most often, though the leaves are edible too.

You may see kohlrabi in green varieties and purple varieties. The inside is usually pale and crisp either way. Purple kinds often look striking in the garden, while green kinds have a classic, light look, so you can pick based on taste, beauty, or both.

Grow Kohlrabi - 7/6-7/12/2026

Grow kohlrabi in your garden. Kohlrabi can be purple or green depending on the variety. This is Azur Star.

Grow Kohlrabi - Getting Familiar

American gardeners should know about kohlrabi because it fits well in many backyard gardens. It matures quickly, handles chilly weather well, and does not need a huge amount of space. If you enjoy radishes, lettuce, peas, or spring broccoli, kohlrabi can slide right into that same season.

I like recommending it to gardeners who say they are bored with the usual list of tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. There is nothing wrong with the classics, but trying something different keeps gardening exciting. Kohlrabi is one of those crops that can make you feel like you discovered a secret.

Grow Kohlrabi - When And Where Should You Plant It?

When you grow kohlrabi in your garden, you are usually aiming for a tender stem that is harvested young. If you leave it too long, it can turn woody. That means timing matters, but it also means you can get food from your garden pretty quickly.

Kohlrabi grows best in cool weather. In most parts of the United States, that means spring and fall are the main seasons. Hot summer weather can make plants bolt or become tough, so plan your sowing around the cooler parts of the year.

For a spring crop, sow seeds outdoors a few weeks before your last expected frost, once the soil can be worked. For a fall crop, sow in midsummer so plants can size up as temperatures begin to drop. Frost usually does not hurt kohlrabi much, and cool weather often improves flavor.

Choose a spot with full sun if you can. Kohlrabi will tolerate a little light shade, especially in warmer regions, but more sun usually means stronger growth. Try to give it at least six hours of sunlight a day.

Soil matters more than many new gardeners expect. Kohlrabi likes loose, fertile, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. If your ground is hard or compacted, loosen it before planting so the roots can grow well and the stem can swell evenly.

Grow Kohlrabi - Planting

Grow kohlrabi as a nice treat from all of the regular vegetables.

Before planting, mix in compost or well-rotted organic matter. This helps the soil hold moisture without becoming soggy. A balanced garden fertilizer can also help if your soil is low in nutrients, but avoid overdoing nitrogen because that can push leaf growth more than stem growth.

If you want the smoothest path, direct sowing is simple and effective. Kohlrabi seeds are small but easy enough to handle. Plant them shallowly, about a quarter to half an inch deep, and cover them lightly with soil.

Space the seeds a few inches apart in rows, then thin the seedlings later. Final spacing should usually be around 4 to 6 inches apart for smaller bulbs, or a little wider if the variety grows larger. Rows can be about 12 to 18 inches apart to give you room to weed and harvest.

You can also start seeds indoors if your spring weather is slow and cold. Start them a few weeks before transplanting time. Use clean seed-starting mix, keep the trays in bright light, and do not let the seedlings become root-bound.

Grow Kohlrabi - Transplanting

If you transplant, do it while seedlings are still young. Older transplants can stall or become stressed. Harden them off for several days by slowly getting them used to sun, wind, and cooler outdoor conditions before setting them into the garden.

Water right after planting or transplanting. Then keep the soil evenly moist as the seeds sprout and seedlings establish. Uneven watering can slow growth and may lead to tougher texture later.

Germination is often pretty quick in cool soil. Once the seedlings appear, thinning becomes one of the most important jobs. It can feel wasteful to pull healthy plants, but crowded kohlrabi will never size up well.

If you hate thinning, use scissors to snip extra seedlings at the soil line instead of pulling them out. That way you do not disturb the roots of the plant you want to keep. It is a small trick, but it makes the job easier.

Mulch can help a lot once seedlings are up and growing. A light layer of straw or shredded leaves can hold moisture, reduce weed pressure, and keep the soil temperature steadier. Just do not pile mulch right against the stem.

Grow Kohlrabi - Basic Care

Grow kohlrabi in raised beds and monitor it often for pests on the undersides of leaves.

Kohlrabi is not a heavy-drama plant, but steady care makes a real difference. Keep weeds down so they do not compete for water and nutrients. Because the edible stem forms above ground, you can easily keep an eye on how each plant is developing.

Watering is especially important when the stem begins to swell. Aim for steady moisture rather than cycles of very dry and very wet soil. A plant that grows fast and evenly is more likely to stay tender.

You do not usually need to prune kohlrabi. Just remove any damaged or yellowing leaves if needed. Healthy leaves feed the plant, so leave most of them in place until harvest time.

Grow Kohlrabi - Garden Pests

Since kohlrabi is part of the cabbage family, it can attract some of the same pests. Watch for cabbage worms, aphids, and flea beetles. Row covers can help protect young plants, especially early in the season.

Check the undersides of leaves often. Hand-picking caterpillars early can prevent a bigger problem later. A quick walk through the garden with a close look every few days is often enough to catch trouble before it spreads.

Good garden cleanup helps with disease prevention. Give plants room for air flow, avoid soaking leaves late in the day, and rotate crops when possible. If you grow brassicas in the same place year after year, pest and disease issues can build up.

Grow Kohlrabi - Companion Planting

That brings us to companion planting. The idea behind companion planting is that some plants may help or hinder each other. Kohlrabi is not known for being friendless, and it does not need to be isolated from every other crop.

In fact, broad claims that kohlrabi is not friends with any other garden plants are not reliable. Gardeners often grow it near other cool-season crops just fine. What matters most is spacing, timing, crop rotation, and avoiding heavy competition.

A sensible approach is to avoid crowding kohlrabi with large, sprawling plants that will shade it out. Give it open space among spring or fall vegetables. If you want to experiment with companion planting, do it on a small scale and take notes on what works in your own yard.

I always like to remind gardeners that local conditions can change the outcome. Your soil, weather, pest pressure, and watering habits all matter. That is why trying a few kohlrabi plants each season can teach you more than any single chart ever will.

As the plants grow, you will notice the stem thickening above the ground. This is normal and is the whole point. Do not mound soil over it like you might with some root crops, because kohlrabi is meant to swell in the open air.

Most varieties are best harvested when the swollen stem is around 2 to 3 inches across, though some can be taken a little larger. Smaller is usually more tender. If you wait for giant bulbs, you may end up with woody flesh.

Grow Kohlrabi - Harvesting

Harvesting is easy. Use a sharp knife or pruners to cut the stem at the base, just below the swollen part. You can also pull the whole plant if the soil is loose, then trim the roots and leaves afterward.

Do not throw away the leaves. Young kohlrabi leaves can be cooked much like collards, kale, or turnip greens. If they are fresh and tender, they are a nice bonus from a plant that already gives you plenty.

If you plant a row every week or two during the cool season, you can stretch out the harvest. This is called succession planting, and it works well with fast crops. It is one of the easiest ways to avoid getting everything at once.

One of the best things about kohlrabi is that it is beginner-friendly once you understand the timing. Cool weather, even water, decent spacing, and prompt harvest do most of the heavy lifting. It is not a crop that asks for constant fussing.

Grow Kohlrabi - Storage And Raw Eating

This lady is washing purple and green kohlrabi from the garden.

After harvest, cut off the leaves if you plan to store the bulbs. Leaves pull moisture from the stem, so removing them helps the bulb stay crisp longer. Store the leaves separately if you want to cook them soon.

In the refrigerator, kohlrabi usually keeps best in a crisper drawer or in a loose bag that holds some humidity. The goal is to keep it cool and from drying out. Fresh, well-grown bulbs can stay in good shape for quite a while under proper cold storage.

Before eating, wash the bulb and peel the outer layer if it feels tough. Very young kohlrabi may need only a light peel, while older bulbs often need a thicker one. Inside, you should find firm, juicy flesh.

If you want the easiest way to try it, slice it and eat it raw. It is crunchy and refreshing, almost like a cross between a mild radish and a broccoli stem. Raw sticks are great with dip, added to salads, or packed into lunches.

Grow Kohlrabi - Cooking

Eating kohlrabi raw with a dip is a fun way to get kids to eat veggies.

You can also shred kohlrabi into slaw. Mix it with carrots, cabbage, apple, or herbs for a crisp side dish. A simple dressing with oil, vinegar, salt, and a little mustard works well.

If you want to cook with kohlrabi, roasting is a great place to start. Peel it, cube it, toss it with oil and salt, and roast until tender and lightly browned. Roasting brings out sweetness and softens the texture.

Kohlrabi also works in soups, stews, and stir-fries. Add it anywhere you might use turnips, potatoes, or broccoli stems. It holds its shape fairly well when cooked, which makes it useful in mixed vegetable dishes.

Another simple way to cook with kohlrabi is to steam or boil it briefly, then mash it with butter, olive oil, or herbs. It can also be sautéed with garlic and onions. The flavor is mild enough to take on many seasonings.

So what foods does it go with? Kohlrabi pairs well with apples, carrots, cabbage, potatoes, onions, garlic, lemon, dill, parsley, mustard, cheese, cream, chicken, pork, and sausage. Its mild flavor makes it easy to fit into many meals.

You can even pickle kohlrabi for a tangy snack. Thin slices or matchsticks hold up nicely in a basic vinegar brine. If you like refrigerator pickles, this is a fun way to preserve a small harvest.

Grow Kohlrabi - Storage

For longer storage beyond the fridge, cold-root-cellar-style conditions can work if you have them. The key is cool, humid air and healthy, undamaged bulbs. Not every home has that setup, so the refrigerator is the easiest option for most gardeners.

If your harvest gets away from you and the bulbs grow too large, do not assume they are useless. Peel them well and test the texture. Some oversized bulbs can still be good in soup or roasted dishes, even if they are not ideal for raw eating.

Saving seed from kohlrabi is possible, but it is more advanced because the plant is biennial and usually needs a second season to flower and set seed. Most home gardeners simply buy fresh seed when needed. For beginners, growing a good crop to eat is the main goal.

Grow Kohlrabi - Planning For Next Year

When planning next year’s garden, avoid planting kohlrabi in the same spot where other brassicas recently grew if you can help it. Crop rotation can reduce disease and insect carryover. It is a simple habit that pays off over time.

If you garden with kids, kohlrabi is a fun plant to show them. The swollen stem looks almost like a small spaceship growing above the ground. That unusual shape can be enough to get young gardeners curious and willing to taste something new.

I have seen gardeners become fans of kohlrabi after just one good season with it. They start out unsure what it even is, then end up looking forward to it each spring. That is one reason I think gardeners should experiment and try growing new things each year.

When you grow kohlrabi in your garden, you also build confidence. You learn that not every useful crop has to be a familiar one from the grocery store. Sometimes the best garden lessons come from plants that seem strange at first.

If you are deciding between purple and green varieties, know that both can be excellent. Pick the one that fits your climate, seed source, or visual style. The main thing is harvesting at the right size and keeping growth steady.

To sum it up, plant kohlrabi from seed in cool weather, in rich loose soil, with full sun and even moisture. Thin seedlings, protect them from common cabbage pests, and harvest while the bulbs are still young and tender. Then store them cold, slice them raw, or cook them in simple, tasty ways.

So if you want a crop that is a little different but still easy to manage, go ahead and grow kohlrabi in your garden this year. It is crisp, useful, productive, and more approachable than its odd looks suggest. You may plant it as an experiment, but there is a good chance it will earn a permanent place in your garden.

Monday, July 6, 2026

Good morning. Matthew is here and he took care of the animals so I don't have to go out there early this morning. I am so glad to have him back. We gave him three days off.

We had one helper today and the day flew by. The grass is turning brown and plants are getting crispy as everything is so dry. We were supposed to have a 55% chance of rain today but there was not a drop.

Another day in the books...

Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Good morning. I woke up early and smelled something. David had already gotten up and made coffee and breakfast sandwiches so that was nice.

It was another busy day that flew by. I spent it pulling and filling orders.

Before I knew it, the sun was going down already.

Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Good morning. Well, we got no rain all week and today we won't be getting any either. The three dogs have manicures at the vet's office this afternoon and, while we are there, we need to stop next door and get goat feed as we are on the last bag. We need more hay, too. Those 16 goats are sucking it down fast!

I have been working on my year 8 intro page which begins in just over two weeks for this website. We bought our farm on July 30 back in 2019 so year eight begins on July 30, 2026. It will actually start the week of July 27 which is a Monday. Our weeks run Monday to Sunday for purposes of this website.

I have kept a daily diary of farm happenings since we bought the farm. Each week, we have a new gardening or farming article with daily info. Most of the time, the daily info is pretty mundane but there have been a few good ones from time to time.

Trump is such a good little guy.

This afternoon, we took the dogs to the vet for nail trims. Turns out they didn't need them but the first nailed clipped on Trump was cut way too short causing a bit of a blood bath. Trump freaked out and jumped all over me causing my pretty light green outfit to be covered in blood. I hope Shout gets it all out. They had to take Trump back into the exam room three times to stop the bleeding. It was awful. He is resting now with David in the den.

Matt unloading the truck out back...

Before we went to the vet, we drove through Morales Feed and got goat feed and hay. Matt unloaded that when we got home.

Thursday, July 9, 2026

It's Thursday already! David, Matt, and a helper met out back at 7am, much too early for me. I don't know what they are doing out in the heat. I am in my office.

The cat hurt her paw last week and today is the first day we could get her in to see the vet. She has an 11am appointment. I have to feed her and get her into a kennel. Also, she lost her collar two weeks ago with her tags. So far, I have not been able to find it. I will need to put a new collar on her...She won't be suspicious at all, right?

I fed the cat and put a new collar on her. She just purred. At 10am, I loaded her up in the carrier. She happily went in because I put treats in there.

The vet said the claw was very loose and it finally came off in her hand. She gave Samantha an antibiotic injection that will be good for the next two weeks. If she is not healed up by then, I need to take her back and they will look for broken bones. I was really surprised that she did not take x-rays today. The cat hurt herself by destroying a set of blinds in the store.

I made an amazing lasagna tonight for dinner. I have not made one in years. It was delicious and I cannot wait to have it for lunch tomorrow.

Friday, July 10, 2026

Good morning. The sun is super bright this morning so I don't think we will be getting rain. I heard there is a 55% chance today, tomorrow, and on Sunday but there is not a cloud in the sky!

The clouds moved in this afternoon and then moved out without leaving us any rain. That was disappointing.

Over 2400 of you are reading this website each day and the numbers have been steadily growing. I would like to say thank you to my readers.

There are just two more weeks until the start of our year 8 on the farm.

The cat is doing better although her paw is still swollen.

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Alexa tells me that it will rain here four times today. It is getting rather cloudy, just like yesterday. We shall see. Most of the time when it does this, it moves on by without leaving us a drop. Everything is so dry again that it is turning brown.

We had one set of customers today and they were from Monterrey, Mexico. Seven years ago, they visited our store in San Antonio. Today, they came out to the farm.

Around 2pm, the clouds got dark and it rained for about 10 minutes. That was it. I have been doing some cleaning around the house.

A few weeks ago, I got a new 100% copper bracelet to help my arm feel better. It didn't tingle as much when I wore it. A few days ago, I noticed how tarnished it was so I took it off to clean it but ran out of time for a few days...

This morning, I put some fresh lemon juice and salt in a bowl and dropped the bracelet in. It cleaned up instantaneously! I had no idea. The box said to do this but I did not think it would work. Amazing.

At 3:38pm, I put in a grocery order. I should have done that this morning.

The groceries got here before 5:15pm. A few of the items will be shipped here on Tuesday.

Sunday, July 12, 2026

It is 3:13pm. We just had a clap of thunder but no rain...David had the dogs up at the store but forgot his phone. He emailed me. I took him his phone and then he sent the dogs home with me. Not quite an even trade.

Yesterday, while we didn't get 2 millimeters, Devine got two inches of rain.

I got my new crockpot all washed and ready to use. I found my official crockpot recipe book so now I have to decide what I will make in it first.

When I went out to feed the goats this evening, I noticed something that I had not noticed before. Gracie's girl, Harriet, is not a girl. When we checked a month ago, there was nothing...she is now Harry and we will have to take care of that problem in the morning. I kept smelling that male scent over the past week but could not figure out why.

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