How to grow kohlrabi from seed
Kohl rabi or German turnip is a biennial vegetable that is native to European countries.
The taste and texture is similar to broccoli and this vegetable comes in different varieties. The root system of kohl rabi is shallow. It can grow up to 18 inches tall and 12 inches wide. Kohl rabi grows best in fall season. Here is how to grow kohlrabi from seed.
Growing conditions for Kohl Rabi
Soil: Kohl rabi grows best in soil that is well-draining and fertile. The soil Ph should be between 6 to 7.5
Temperature: The optimum temperature for kohl rabi is 4 to 24°C.
Sunlight: Kohl rabi requires 6 hours of full sunlight to grow well.
Fertilization: Kohl rabi needs to be fertilized regularly. You can fertilize them with compost once in 3 weeks if you are growing kohl rabi in containers. If you are growing it in the soil you can fertilize kohl rabi 2 to 3 times during the growing season.
How to grow kohlrabi from seed
You can sow the seeds indoors 4 weeks before the last frost date.
Take a seed tray and fill it with seed starting mix. Sow the seeds 1/2 inch deep. Make sure there is a 2 to 3 inches gap between the seeds. Once the seeds start to germinate and grow a few inches tall, you can transplant them outside or to containers. Suppose you are growing them in containers.
Fill it with a potting mix containing 60% compost, 20% sand, 10% vermiculite and 10% perlite.
You can grow kohl rabi in containers that are at least 12 inches deep and wide. If you are growing kohl rabi in the soil, amend it with compost or aged manure. Keep the seedlings weed-free so that they don’t have to compete for sunlight or nutrients.
Harvest your kohlrabi when they grow the size of golf balls. Kohl rabi can take up to 55 to 60 days to mature.
Common Pests and diseases that harm kohl rabi
Aphids, thrips, cutworms, cabbage worms and cabbage loopers are some of the pests that attack your kohl rabi. Using neem oil is an effective way to control these pests. Beneficial insects can also be used to control these pests.
Read more:
- How to grow swiss chard in pots.
- How to grow lettuce from seeds.
- How grow cabbage.
- How to grow kale at home.