Early Kohlrabi Moravia

Brassica oleracea var. Gongylodes

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

Kohlrabi has a stem of maximum 20 cm in length, 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 the earliest being white varieties. In addition to their pleasant taste, they are 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 zucchini in batter instead of potatoes for fritters or fry it in breadcrumbs.

How to Grow Kohlrabi

• The location should have a more humid climate; it does not need 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 kohlrabi varieties do not tolerate higher temperatures in early summer. Cover spring varieties with horticultural fleece when planting.

  Summer varieties: sow in March or April. Plant them 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 industrial fertilizers to the soil at a rate of 30–60 g/m² with an NPK nutrient ratio of 1.5:1:2; the first half of the dose for late varieties or direct sowings should be added at planting and the second during the growing season.

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

  Pests that occur on kohlrabi include 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 the most common.

• Harvest kohlrabi by thinning 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.