Sitemap

Articles about Vegetable Crops for the Garden

Visit our Forum

About us

Links page

Add URL

Privacy

Disclaimer

DISCLOSURE:

We support this site using affiliate marketing as a way to earn revenue. All the ads, and many of the links mentioning other products, services, or websites are special links that earn us a commission when you use or pay for their product/service.

Please do not use our site if this alarms you.

Organic Gardening:

How to grow organic Kohl rabi

Kohl rabi is not often seen in the shops

Kohl rabi

Brassica oleracea Gongylodes group

Family: Cruciferae (Group 2)

You don't often see kohl rabi in the shops, either the white or the purple variety. Personally, I don't rate this vegetable, but to each his own. It does provide a useful way to bulk up a curry, which is probably why I have seen it on sale in Asian shopping areas so often.

Site and soil

Choose an open, unshaded site with fertile, well-drained and moisture retentive soil, which should be slightly acid (min pH 5.4, but see note on clubroot - add lime if necessary to adjust pH). Brassicas have a high nitrogen requirement and also need very firm soil. To ensure sufficient nutrient levels, it is best to topdress or apply a liquid feed such as seaweed fertiiser during growth.

Because brassicas are prone to soil infections, for example, Clubroot, it's important to use a minimum 3 year rotation plan.

Kohl rabi does best in fertile, light, sandy soil, limed if acid.

Sow direct 2.5cm (1") deep in 30cm (12") rows from late February to end August. Thin to 15-22cm (6-9") apart. Thin early to avoid a check in development.

Harvest older cultivars before they reach tennis ball size to avoid woodiness, others may be allowed to grow larger.

Kohl rabi can be overwintered in situ in all but the coldest parts of the UK, and keeps best this way.

Pests and Diseases

Flea beetle and cabbage root fly are the most common pests; clubroot the most likely disease.

Note on clubroot

Soil may remain infected for 20 years; steps to avoid introduction include:

good drainage
rotation
liming acid soils to a pH around 7
working in high levels of organic matter
ensuring clean plants are used - source must be known to be free of disease (best grown at home in sterile medium)
boots and tools used on infected land must be thoroughly cleaned before use on clean land

Once infected avoid growing any brassicas except fast maturing types such as Texsel greens or cut and come again oriental seedlings. If you have no other land available, and you must grow types with a lengthy growing season, you can try sowing seed in modules, and potting up until the plants reach a height of 10cm (4") before planting out. A root drench may also help.

If you're interested in healthy food, you may also be interested in our sister site, The Health Site, Your Online Health Channel.

Top of page

Site creation by: TheWebsiteDesign.Co.UK

Forum

Tell a Friend about Us

Even Greener Products for your garden