Kohl Rabi

Brassica oleracea, Gongylodes Group
Family: Brassicaceae

Kohl rabi is a biennial but is treated as a cool-season annual. The edible, turnip-like, swollen stem grows and develops above the ground. There are green-stemmed and purple-stemmed cultivars available. Either type can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable, or served raw in salads. The taste is a pleasant combination of cabbage and turnip.

Cultivation

Plant in a moderately rich, well-drained soil, with added organic matter, in full sun. Sow seed direct in cropping position, from mid-spring to late summer, to ensure a succes­sion. Sow in rows 30 cm (12 in) apart and space plants at 25 cm (10 in). Protect early sowings with cloches or fleece. Give plenty of water and liquid fertilizer to encourage growth. Harvest the tubers when they have reached the size of a tennis ball. If allowed to grow larger, they will become stringy and tough. Keep the area weed free to avoid competition.

Climate

Zone 8 and above; grown in all climates as a summer crop.