Kohlrabi

Sweetly crisp and cool as a fresh-cut spring breeze, Kohlrabi forms a smooth, globe-like bulb with a tender, juicy bite.

Its flesh stays pleasantly mild and fine-textured, making it a standout for fresh snacking, quick roasting, and bright slaws or slaw-style salads where its clean flavor shines. Grow it for a satisfying 60-day harvest window—best when the bulbs are young and the skin is at its most vibrant.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 60 DaysHabit: Rosette

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 25th
Harvest Begins	Jun 24th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	60
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Kohlrabi’s sweet, fine-textured crunch makes it a rare brassica that stays pleasant when raw—shave it thin and let acid (lemon/vinegar) coat each bite without bitterness. When you roast it, the outer edges turn lightly caramel and the inside stays juicy, so it eats like a vegetable steak that loves butter and pepper.

Best Uses

shaved or matchsticked raw in a citrusy slaw that clings to the crisp
quick-roasted wedges brushed with butter or oil until edges caramelize
pan-sautéed batons with garlic and a splash of vinegar
puréed into a silky mash with olive oil and salt for a neutral, sweet base

Flavor Profile

sweet, clean brassica bite snappy, juicy crunch mild, cabbage-adjacent flavor holds seasoning without turning bitter

Kitchen Pairings

lemon mustard butter black pepper bacon goat cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Brassica oleracea (kohlrabi), and how can I control it?

Cabbage worms (imported cabbage worm/diamondback moth larvae) often chew holes in kohlrabi leaves. Check undersides of leaves weekly and remove eggs/early larvae by hand; for control, apply a BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray or a labeled spinosad product as soon as you see small larvae. If you notice yellowing, wilting, or stem issues, inspect roots for clubroot and avoid planting Brassica in that spot for several years, liming as recommended for your soil pH to reduce clubroot risk.

How often should I water kohlrabi during the main growing phase?

Keep soil evenly moist for steady kohlrabi bulb formation, watering about 1–1.5 inches per week depending on rainfall and heat, with more frequent watering during hot spells. Aim for consistent moisture from transplanting through bulbing—letting the soil swing dry then wet can cause cracking and woody texture. Use a slow-soak so water reaches the root zone, and mulch to reduce evaporation.

How do I tell when Brassica oleracea (kohlrabi) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the above-ground stem (the bulb) is about 2–4 inches in diameter and still tender—size guides taste more than calendar days. Leaves can be present, and the bulb should feel firm rather than pithy or overly hard. If it gets larger and tough, flavor turns stronger and the bulb can become woody, so check every few days as it approaches maturity (~60 days).