Kohl Rabi White Vienna

🌾 Seed Pre Treatment

Kohlrabi seeds do not need any pre treatment. They germinate readily when sown into moist soil. Fresh seed and even moisture are far more important than soaking or scarifying.

If you like to give seeds a gentle head start, you can pre moisten your seed raising mix before sowing, but that is all that is required.

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🌱 Sowing Kohlrabi Seeds in Trays

Sowing in trays is ideal if you want more control, are working around unpredictable weather, or need to protect young seedlings from pests early on.

Fill trays or small pots with a quality seed raising mix. Sow seeds about 1 cm deep and lightly cover. Water gently and keep the soil evenly moist but not wet. Place trays in a bright position out of direct afternoon sun.

Seeds usually germinate within 5 to 10 days. Once seedlings have developed two to three true leaves, thin to the strongest plant or transplant carefully into the garden.

In my own garden, tray sowing works especially well in late summer or early autumn when temperatures can still swing around. It gives the seedlings a calmer start.

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🌿 Direct Sowing in the Garden

Direct sowing suits kohlrabi beautifully, especially in well prepared soil during autumn, winter, and early spring in most Australian regions.

Prepare the bed by loosening the soil and removing stones and clumps. Sow seeds 1 cm deep and space them about 20 to 25 cm apart. If sowing in rows, allow around 30 cm between rows.

Water gently and keep the soil moist until seedlings emerge. Thin seedlings early so plants have enough room to form round, even bulbs.

Direct sowing often produces sturdier plants, but you do need to stay on top of pests in the early stages.

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☀️ Soil and Position

Kohlrabi prefers a sunny position, although it will tolerate light shade in warmer climates. Aim for at least 5 to 6 hours of sun per day.

Soil should be fertile, free draining, and rich in organic matter. Like all brassicas, kohlrabi enjoys nitrogen, but too much can push leaf growth at the expense of the bulb. A well balanced soil with compost and aged manure is ideal.

Soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral. Around 6.0 to 7.0 is perfect.

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💧 Care and Maintenance

Consistent care is the secret to tender kohlrabi.

Water regularly to keep growth steady. Dry spells followed by heavy watering can cause woody bulbs or splitting. Mulching helps maintain even moisture and keeps soil cool.

Feed lightly with a balanced organic fertiliser every few weeks. Avoid over feeding with high nitrogen products.

Keep beds weed free so plants are not competing for nutrients or water. Because kohlrabi grows quickly, it usually shades out weeds once established.

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🌼 Companion Planting Guide

Kohlrabi benefits from good neighbours that either deter pests or make efficient use of space.

Good companions include lettuce, spinach, beetroot, onions, dill, chamomile and nasturtiums.

Avoid planting kohlrabi near other brassicas like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and kale if possible. Grouping them together can encourage a build up of pests and disease.

Herbs and flowers tucked between plants can make a noticeable difference in pest pressure.

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✂️ Harvesting Kohlrabi

Harvest timing makes all the difference.

Most varieties are ready in 6 to 8 weeks from sowing. Bulbs are best picked when they are about the size of a tennis ball. At this stage, the flesh is crisp and mild.

Use a sharp knife to cut the bulb at the base of the stem. Leaves can be harvested earlier and used like kale or collard greens.

If left too long, bulbs become fibrous and lose their sweetness, so regular checking is worth it.

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🐛 Common Issues and Fixes

Problem	Likely Cause	Fix
Woody or tough bulbs	Inconsistent watering or late harvesting	Water regularly and harvest early
Small bulbs	Overcrowding or low nutrients	Thin seedlings and enrich soil
Holes in leaves	Caterpillars or cabbage moth	Use netting and check leaves regularly
Yellowing leaves	Nutrient imbalance or poor soil	Improve soil and feed lightly
Splitting bulbs	Irregular moisture	Mulch and water consistently

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🌾 Seed Saving Guide

Saving kohlrabi seed takes patience, but it is very rewarding.

Kohlrabi is biennial, meaning it flowers and sets seed in its second year. Select the healthiest plants with good bulb shape and strong growth. Leave them in the ground or replant them after harvest.

Over winter, plants will focus on leaf growth. In spring, they will send up tall flowering stalks with yellow flowers similar to other brassicas.

Once flowers fade, long seed pods form. Allow pods to dry on the plant until they turn brown and begin to crack.

Harvest the stalks and place them in a paper bag or on a sheet in a dry, well ventilated space. Once fully dry, gently crush the pods to release the seeds.

Winnow away chaff and store seeds in a cool, dry place. Label clearly with the variety and year. Seeds remain viable for around 4 to 5 years if stored well.

Be aware that kohlrabi can cross pollinate with other brassicas, so isolation is important if you want true to type seed.

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🌿 Final Thoughts

Kohlrabi is one of those vegetables that quietly earns its keep. It is fast, adaptable, and surprisingly generous in the kitchen. For Australian gardeners, it fits beautifully into the cool season and rewards even beginner growers with reliable results.

If you keep the soil rich, the water steady, and the harvest timely, kohlrabi will quickly become a regular in your rotation. And once you have grown it yourself, that strange little bulb starts to feel like an old friend.

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Delivery Guarantee

We take great care to make sure your seeds arrive safely. If your order is lost or damaged in transit, we’ll happily send a replacement. Unfortunately, we can’t replace or refund orders that arrive later than the estimated delivery date, as delays can sometimes occur that are outside our control.

Please note that all dispatch and delivery times listed are estimates only. While we do our best to post promptly, delivery timeframes can vary due to postal service delays, weather events, or other unforeseen circumstances. We’re unable to take responsibility for any loss, damage, or cost that results from a late delivery.

An order is not considered missing until at least 20 business days have passed from the postage date. You’ll receive an email once your seeds have been posted, letting you know they’re on their way. If you don’t see it in your main inbox, please check your Spam or Promotions folders as sometimes our emails like to hide there.