Noriko

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Sweetly crisp and vividly tender, Noriko kohlrabi forms a smooth, jade-leaning globe with a clean, mild bite that feels almost succulent in the garden.

Its flesh is fine-grained and juicy, holding its character for fresh use and quick-roasting-style caramelization, while also shining in slaws and pickled preparations for a bright, tangy crunch. A cool-season favorite with a fast 50-day rhythm, Noriko is ideal for gardeners who want a satisfying harvest that looks as good as it tastes.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 50 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 14th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	50
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	40
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Noriko’s fine, succulent crunch keeps its texture in slaw and pickles, so the bite stays clean instead of turning fibrous. When you roast it hot and fast, the surface caramelization goes nutty and sweet while the interior stays pleasantly tender.

Best Uses

shaved or julienned slaw under a vinegar-salty dressing
quick-roasting wedges that brown at the edges
hot-and-cold pickles for bright crunch
stir-fries where it stays crisp instead of turning mushy

Flavor Profile

sweet, mild brassica bite fine-grained, juicy snap tender enough to shave raw caramelizes quickly with a nutty edge

Kitchen Pairings

lemon apple cider vinegar mustard butter bacon feta

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Kohlrabi is frequently damaged by flea beetles and can also develop clubroot (a root disease). To reduce flea beetles, cover transplants with row cover until plants are established, and use consistent weed-free conditions around beds since brassicas attract pests. For clubroot, avoid planting in the same soil repeatedly and lime the area if your soil test shows low pH, because clubroot thrives in acidic soils.

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

During the 6–8 weeks when the kohlrabi bulb swells, keep soil evenly moist, aiming for about 1 inch of water per week, adjusted for heat and rainfall. Water deeply so moisture reaches the root zone, and avoid letting the soil swing from dry to soggy, which can lead to cracking and poor bulb texture.

How do I know when kohlrabi is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the bulb reaches about 2–3 inches in diameter (typically around 50 days) and the skin looks smooth and firm. If you wait too long, the bulb becomes woody and pithy, so check size every few days once it starts forming and harvest promptly.