Early Kohlrabi Amethyst F1

A biennial plant originating from the Mediterranean region and Western Europe. Many cultivars have been bred from the wild plant, which are very different in appearance: cabbage, headed cabbage, Brussels sprouts, marrow-stem kale, fodder cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi.

Kohlrabi has a stem up to 20 cm long, from which long-stalked leaves grow above the bulb, and the leaves below the bulb die off. The most basic division of kohlrabi is into purple and white varieties, with white varieties being the earliest. In addition to its pleasant taste, kohlrabi is also a rich source of vitamins B, C and E, calcium, potassium, selenium, zinc, iron, folic acid and pantothenic acid. It is consumed raw, tastes good on its own or as part of vegetable salads. We can boil it, braise it, bake it, use it like courgette in dough instead of potatoes for fritters, or fry it in breadcrumbs.

How to Grow Kohlrabi

• The site should have a more humid climate and does not require high temperatures. We ensure even soil moisture, water regularly with moderate amounts of water, and hoe. In dry conditions, the bulbs become woody and crack after heavier watering. Keep the bed free of weeds.

• Early varieties: sow in February. Plant them at 25x25 cm spacing in mid-April. White early varieties of kohlrabi do not tolerate higher temperatures in early summer. Cover spring varieties with fleece at planting.

  Summer varieties: sow in March or April. Plant at 25x25 cm spacing in the first half of May.

  Late varieties: sow at the turn of April and May. Seedlings must be planted by mid-August at the latest.

• Plants require loamy or sandy-loam soil with sufficient humus content and adequate available nutrients. The optimal pH value ranges between 6–7.3.

• Before planting, it is advisable to apply commercial fertilisers to the soil at a rate of 30–60 g/m2 with an NPK nutrient ratio of 1.5:1:2. For late varieties or direct sowing, apply the first half of the dose at planting and the second during the growing season.

• Drought damage manifests as cracking of roots, bulbs and fruits, and in cases of severe damage, drying out.

  Pests affecting kohlrabi include the Turnip flea beetle (Phyllotreta undulata), Black flea beetle (Phyllotreta atra), Cabbage flea beetle (Phyllotreta nemorum) and Cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae).

  Among fungal diseases, powdery mildew is particularly common.

• Harvest kohlrabi selectively according to size. Early varieties are usually harvested when they reach 4 cm in size. It is not advisable to harvest plants that have bolted.