Plant of the Week: Kohlrabi

Kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea)

A fall favorite in my home is kohlrabi.  I typically plant them in the spring, but a second fall crop can be planted about 6 weeks before the first hard frost.  Kohlrabi is a descendant from the same wild relative as broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts, cauliflower and kale.  It is similar in flavor to cabbage hearts or broccoli stems with a mild and slightly sweet taste.  They have a firm, crisp texture that I have seen compared to an apple. (Please do not confuse texture and taste.  They do not taste like an apple!)

Plant in full sun about 3 inches apart and 1/2 inch deep.  Keep them consistently moist for the best flavor.  A layer of mulch is helpful to retain moisture during dry weather.  Like other members of it's family, kohlrabi is plagued by insects like cabbage butterflies.  As it doesn't need pollination, it benefits from a row cover to keep insects away.  Harvest when the bulb is about 2 inches in diameter.  Larger tubers tend to be woody/fibrous so successive plantings and frequent harvests are beneficial.

Happy Gardening! :)