Swede Gigant - swede seeds

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: headed cabbage, white 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 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 courgette in dough instead of potatoes for pancakes, or fry it in breadcrumbs.

How to Grow Kohlrabi

• The site should have a more humid climate; it doesn't 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. We plant them at a spacing of 25x25 cm in mid-April. White early kohlrabi varieties do not tolerate higher temperatures in early summer. Cover spring varieties with fleece when planting.

  Summer varieties: sow in March or April. We plant them at a spacing of 25x25 cm 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 plenty of available nutrients. The optimal pH value ranges from 6–7.3.

• Before planting, it is advisable to apply commercial 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 sowing should be applied at planting and the second during the growing season.

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

  Among pests, kohlrabi is affected by Flea beetle (Phyllotreta undulata), Black flea beetle (Phyllotreta atra), Turnip flea beetle (Phyllotreta nemorum) and Cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae).

  Among fungal diseases, powdery mildew occurs primarily.

• We harvest kohlrabi by selecting according to size. Early varieties are usually harvested when they reach a size of 4 cm. It is not suitable to harvest plants that have bolted.