Early Purple Vienna

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Sink your spoon into the crisp, sweet-tender bite of Early Purple Vienna—its skin blushes in rich violet-purple over a clean, pale interior.

Bulbous and smooth with a lightly firm, juicy texture, it shines as a fresh garden favorite and holds its own for quick roasting, braising, and vibrant pickling brines. Ready in about 55 days, it’s a cool-season standout for gardeners who want early color, early crunch, and dependable, uniform bulbs.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Early Purple Vienna

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 18th
Harvest Begins	Jun 12th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Early Purple Vienna kohlrabi has that rare combo of clean sweetness and a crisp, juicy bite that doesn’t collapse under quick heat. Cut it thin for raw crunch, or cook it just until the surface chars—overdoing turns it soft and bland instead of pleasantly cabbage-sweet.

Best Uses

shave raw into vinegar-salted slaws and dressed salads (it stays snappy)
quick-roast or pan-sear into caramelized edges while the center stays juicy
pickle in bright brines for a purple-kissed, snappy snack
braise briefly in butter/stock so it turns creamy without going floury

Flavor Profile

crisp, sweet-tender flesh mild cabbage-kale bite without heavy sulfur juicy crunch that softens into silky fork-tender

Kitchen Pairings

lemon Dijon mustard butter apple cider vinegar caraway smoked pork

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes (Early Purple Vienna kohlrabi), and how do I control it?

Cabbage worms (imported cabbageworm/loopers) are a frequent problem on kohlrabi, leaving holes and frass on leaves. Hand-pick early and cover seedlings with fine row cover until plants are well established; if damage is increasing, use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) labeled for cabbage worms, applied in the evening to wet foliage. Watch also for clubroot—if plants wilt despite moisture, check roots for swollen galls and remove affected plants; avoid planting brassicas in that bed for several years.

How often should I water Early Purple Vienna kohlrabi during the main growth phase?

Keep soil evenly moist from transplanting through bulbing so kohlrabi forms a tender stem; aim for about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, adjusting for rainfall. Water deeply when the top 1 inch of soil dries out, because irregular moisture leads to tough, woody bulbs and splitting. Mulch around plants to reduce moisture swings during the 40–55 day bulbing period.

How can I tell when Early Purple Vienna kohlrabi is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the swollen kohlrabi stem reaches about 2.5–4 inches (6–10 cm) in diameter and the skin looks smooth and firm, typically around 55 days after sowing/transplanting. If it’s much larger, it tends to turn fibrous and less sweet—check daily once it nears this size range. Cut the bulb at the base and use promptly for best flavor.