Kohlrabi, or turnip cabbage is considered an early crop. I started mine from seeds in February, while we still had snow and around 10F outside. I did that with the majority of my vegetables and flowers this year.

I prepare small pots that I fill with planting soil in a plastic container (from Ikea), I add a little bit of water (not too much) place 2-3 seeds in each, and label them. I place the container at my balcony and put the lid on, just slightly ajar. Later in the spring when it gets warmer I start watering and gradually open the lid more and more, by April when it is around 40F outside the plants are ready to be planted at my allotment. The ground is still kind of frozen, and I have to pick sunny spots and create micro climates that are warmer. When planted outside right from the start these plants are very hardy and you get a head start of the gardening season, which is essential when you live in a colder climate, like Sweden. I live in gardening zone 5. I started to harvest my kohlrabi in May, and harvested up until the last days of June when I harvested the last ones.

When harvested when they are at the size of the kohlrabi at the photo at top (slightly bigger than a closed fist) they are both crisp, juicy and sweet at the same time. I use these bulbs of these ‘small ones” shredded in salads, and the leaves just as they are (the leaves taste like kale), without preparing them in any other way.

I sometimes let the kohlrabi grow bigger, they can get humongous, I usually bake those bulbs in the oven with some garlic and olive oil. If I have big leaves I fry them in the frying pan with the herbs I happen to have at home.

You can eat everything on the plant, including the roots, but I have to admit that I have never tried the roots. Have you ever tried eating the roots of a kohlrabi? If so, what did it taste like?

There are many varieties of kohlrabi and this was the first time I tried this purple variety KOHLRABI ‘AZUR STAR’. We have a problem with snails here, but they did not touch any of my kohlrabi, unfortunately they really liked my broccoli, and kale…Have you ever tried growing kohlrabi?

Maria