Winner

Family: Brassicaceae Vegetable

Sweet, crisp flesh meets a clean, cabbage-bright snap in Winner kohlrabi—an early 55-day favorite with a smooth, rounded bulb that feels wonderfully solid in the hand.

Its tender interior stays pleasantly mild and juicy, making it a standout for fresh salads and quick pickling, while the pale green to creamy tones hold their charm in roasted wedges and hearty braises. Grow Winner for a reliable, garden-fresh harvest that turns every bite into a refreshing crunch.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 55 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 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
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

Winner kohlrabi’s hallmark is that crisp, water-sweet bite—mild enough to eat raw, but still braise-friendly without turning pithy. Its cabbage-bright snap loves sharp acids and salty fats, so it really shines when you dress it hard or pickle it fast.

Best Uses

paper-thin or matchstick salads where it stays snappy under vinaigrette
quick pickling for crisp, tangy bites
roasted wedges in a hot pan until browned on the edges and tender through

Flavor Profile

sweet, juicy crunch clean cabbage-bright snap mild, tender interior with light peppery brassica edge

Kitchen Pairings

lemon mustard feta bacon dill brown butter

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly hits kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes), and how do I control it at home?

Watch for cabbage worms (imported cabbageworm/diamondback moth larvae) and flea beetles, which can chew irregular holes in kohlrabi leaves. Use row cover over seedlings until plants are well established, and if you see larvae, hand-pick early and spray with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) following label directions. If you notice yellowing with damp, brown stems or leaf spots, remove affected leaves and avoid wetting foliage during watering to reduce fungal spread.

How often should I water kohlrabi during its main growth to avoid tough or split bulbs?

During the main bulbing phase, keep the soil consistently evenly moist—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week, split into 2–3 waterings if it’s hot. Let the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) dry slightly between waterings, but don’t allow the bulb to experience repeated drought then heavy watering, which can lead to cracking and pithiness. Mulch around plants to steady moisture in full sun beds.

When is kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes) ready to harvest, and what size should I pick?

Harvest when the swollen stem/bulb is tender and reaches about 2.5–4 inches (6–10 cm) across, usually around 55 days from sowing. If you wait until the bulb is much larger or the skin looks overly thick, it becomes fibrous and less flavorful. Cut the bulb at the base with a sharp knife, then harvest the outer leaves for fresh eating while the inner growth is still young.