Kohlrabi might be an intimidating vegetable for those who haven’t been round it a lot. It appears like a leafy, inexperienced house alien, and has a style like contemporary, crunchy broccoli or cauliflower stems, with a touch of radish.
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Historical past of Rising Kohlrabi
The title kohlrabi comes from the German phrases kohl, which means cabbage, and rabi, which means turnip—and that type of says all of it about this odd-looking, scrumptious vegetable.
Though these inexperienced bulbs seem like they have been dug up from the earth, kohlrabi is definitely a swollen stem that grows above floor. Kohlrabi—or “rabi” for the hip, city foodie set—is extensively utilized in Central Europe and Asia, and is gaining in reputation in the US.
The best way to Plant Kohlrabi
The kohlrabi plant is straightforward to develop, has few pests or illness issues, and grows fairly rapidly in cool climate. There are a number of completely different forms of kohlrabi, however all of them are available in both pale inexperienced or vibrant purple, making fairly a present within the backyard.
Earlier than planting, fertilize your soil with compost or an excellent natural fertilizer, after which plant your kohlrabi into full solar. When rising from seeds, sow open air as quickly because the soil might be labored within the spring, when it has reached 45°F (7°C). If you’re in a hotter local weather, it’s possible you’ll need to begin your seedlings indoors, and transplant them out 6-8 weeks earlier than the final spring frost.
Kohlrabi strongly prefers cool climate, and can grow to be woody and bitter rapidly within the warmth. Because of this, many individuals will typically sow kohlrabi into the backyard within the late summer time, 4 to 6 weeks earlier than the primary fall frost, so their vegetation will mature and sweeten within the chilly. Kohlrabi are sometimes the most lasting vegetable within the backyard within the fall, they usually do very nicely in chilly frames, and even tolerating a nip of snow!
Plant the seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep into the soil, about three to 4 inches aside, then skinny to 6 to eight inches aside as they develop.
Particular Ideas for Rising Kohlrabi
Companion Crops for Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi advantages from planting close to bush beans, lettuce, beets, onions, potatoes, cucumbers and celery. Don’t plant kohlrabi close to tomatoes or different cabbage-family crops like kale or broccoli. (Where to get the “Bible” of companion planting)
Plant for Steady Harvest
You’ll be able to have a steady crop for those who sow new kohlrabi seeds into the backyard each two to a few weeks till it will get heat.
Maintain Kohlrabi Moist
Drying out is the most important problem when rising kohlrabi, as a result of the bulb stems sit upon the bottom uncovered to the solar. Drip irrigation is very advisable, however additionally, you will want mulch or compost to maintain kohlrabi’s root zone cool, moist and nourished, in any other case you’ll find yourself with woody vegetation which can be bitter. Drip irrigation and natural mulch may also forestall the unfold of illness via splashing water droplets.
Kohlrabi Pests and Illnesses
Kohlrabi is seldom bothered by pests or illness, in comparison with its cousins cabbage and broccoli, however prevention is at all times the very best measure. Select forms of kohlrabi seeds which can be proof against the pests and ailments in your area, and plant kohlrabi in a unique spot every year to reduce the chance of contracting or spreading infections.
In case your kohlrabi seedlings have been eaten all the way down to the soil, cutworms are often the culprits. Sprinkle wooden ash across the base of the vegetation to forestall them.
Cabbageworms (the caterpillars of cabbage white butterflies) or flea beetles might trouble your kohlrabi vegetation, however they usually favor cabbage and broccoli. Use light-weight row covers to maintain them off or handpick them.
Aphids can deform kohlrabi leaves, so spray them with a non-toxic, insecticidal soap.
Slugs and snails needs to be hand-picked with gloved arms and drowned in a pail of water. You can even simply lure them into traps made by inserting an inch of beer in a small open container, and sinking it as much as its rim in soil or mulch. You can even use copper tape round your backyard beds, or diatomaceous earth to maintain them away out of your vegetation.
The best way to Harvest and Retailer Kohlrabi
Harvest kohlrabi when the stem “bulbs” are not more than 2-3 inches in diameter. This takes between 40 and 60 days, relying on the number of kohlrabi you might be rising. Any larger than that, and your vegetation will probably be too powerful.
Reduce the stems 1 inch under the swollen “bulb.” Take away the leaf stems and leaves, and use the remaining “bulb” in the identical manner you’ll broccoli stems or turnips.
Kohlrabi will maintain for a number of weeks within the fridge, and for a number of months in a chilly, moist, root cellar.
The best way to Save Kohlrabi Seed
Kohlrabi belongs to the Brassica oleracea species, which incorporates broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage, and cauliflower, amongst others. Due to this, isolation must be managed thoughtfully, and crops have to be no less than 800 toes away from others within the household to keep away from cross-pollination.
Kohlrabi is a biennial, which means it doesn’t go to seed till its second yr of life. So to be able to collect seeds, you have to maintain a few of your vegetation alive over the winter by both transplanting them someplace hotter, or utilizing chilly frames to guard them from freezing.
After flowering of their second yr of progress, mature seed pods grow to be dry and switch brown. It’s essential to reap them at the moment, or the seed pods will burst or be eaten by birds and mice.
Seeds might be gathered by chopping complete branches or by harvesting complete vegetation. Place a tarp or material under the place you might be harvesting, so you’ll be able to catch any seeds that burst out of the delicate seed pods.
Retailer kohlrabi seeds in a cool, darkish, dry place in an hermetic container. Correctly saved kohlrabi seeds will stay viable for a number of years.
The best way to Use Kohlrabi
There are three conventional methods to make kohlrobi: slaw made by combining grated or julienned kohlrabi with apples; oven-roasted; and blended right into a creamy soup. Use your creativeness; this tasty vegetable might be roasted, dehydrated, steamed, sauteed, fried, fermented or ready any manner you wish to eat cauliflower or turnips.
Except the bulbs are very younger and tender, it’s finest to peel them to keep away from chewy strings.
Kohlrabi leaves are edible when younger and small, however most individuals discover them bitter and hard as they develop bigger.
