Pelham Gardens
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Kohlrabi

An oddball brassica that crops fast and tastes like a mild, sweet turnip. Sow in succession through summer for a steady stream of crisp, golf-ball-sized bulbs.

Maturing this month
First sprouts in 5–10 days

Difficulty

Kohlrabi

Kohlrabi should be ready to harvest this month — check for size and colour.

Growing Calendar

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sow
Transplant
Harvest

This month: Jul

Log to journal

Ready to harvest now

  • Check size and ripeness
  • Harvest regularly
  • Store or use fresh

Sowing Guide

What you'd find on the seed packet

Sow Depth

1cm

Spacing

20–23cm

Germination

5–10days

Thinning

Thin to 20–23cm apart once seedlings are large enough to handle

Grower's Note

A genuinely fast crop: baby bulbs are ready in as little as six weeks. Sow small batches every 2–3 weeks for a continuous supply rather than a single glut.

Planting Out Guide

Best spaces, conditions and how to plant out

Plant Spacing

20–23cm

Best Grown In

Open ground, raised beds, large containers

Conditions

Full sun. Fertile, well-drained soil. Keep watering consistent as bulbs swell.

Grower's Note

Transplant while still small. Kohlrabi checks badly if it outgrows its module before planting out.

Growing Stages

Approximate weeks from sowing to harvest

Sprouting

1wks

Seeds germinate and first leaves emerge. Keep warm and moist.

Establishing

4wks

Root system develops and plant builds structure. Pot on if needed.

Maturing

8wks

Plant reaches full size and begins producing. Harvest at peak.

Total~13 weeksfrom seed to harvest

Climate Control

Today

C

Humidity

%

Water

Every 2–3 days

Sunlight

6+ hours direct sun

Watch Out For

Flea beetle riddles young leaves with small holes. Cover with fine mesh from sowing until plants are established

Bulbs turn woody and tough if left too long. Check regularly from golf-ball size and harvest promptly rather than letting them grow on

Cabbage white caterpillars can strip leaves. Check undersides regularly and remove by hand if numbers are low

Pests & Problems

Full guide →

Flea Beetle

Small round holes in seedling leaves

Apr–Jun

Cabbage White Caterpillars

Ragged holes in leaves

May–Sep

Clubroot

Swollen, distorted roots

Any time in acidic soil

What You'll Need

Equipment for growing kohlrabi

Modular Seed Tray

96-cell for precision sowing

Fine Rose Watering Can

Gentle shower for seedlings

Bamboo Canes

Pack of 20 × 120cm

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Grown Organically

Every method in this guide works with natural systems — no synthetic chemicals, no shortcuts.

Read our approach

Common Questions

About growing Kohlrabi in the UK

What does kohlrabi taste like?

Mild, sweet and crisp, somewhere between a turnip and a broccoli stem. It's good raw, grated into slaws, or cooked briefly like a turnip.

When should I pick kohlrabi?

At golf-ball to tennis-ball size, roughly 6–8cm across. Left much larger the bulb turns woody and fibrous, so check plants regularly once they start to swell.

Can I grow kohlrabi all summer?

Yes. Sow small batches every 2–3 weeks from April to July for a steady supply. Green varieties suit spring and summer sowings, purple varieties are better for later sowings heading into autumn.

Why is my kohlrabi bulb splitting?

Splitting is usually caused by an inconsistent water supply, especially heavy rain following a dry spell. Keep watering regular and mulch to even out soil moisture.

Member guides

There's more to growing Kohlrabi than this guide covers.

A Garden Journal to log what worked, a personalised sowing planner in My Garden, and monthly reminders timed to the calendar.

See what's included

Free Monthly Newsletter

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Each month: what to sow now, what to move on, and organic growing tips matched to UK conditions.

  • Monthly sowing & transplanting reminders
  • Organic pest tips timed to the season
  • What to harvest and how to store it