Growing guide

Best time to plant kohlrabi in Australia

Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes

Also called German turnip, turnip cabbage

Kohlrabi is a squat member of the cabbage species, grown for its swollen, rounded stem, though the leaves are eaten too. Either part can be served raw or cooked. The name blends German words for cabbage and turnip, yet it is a separate species from true turnip.

On a shared plot: suits a plot

Finishes in a season and stays within its space, so it suits most plots.

When to sow

ZoneMonthsHow well checked
CoolAug to MarBroadly matches local guides, with some differences
TemperateAug to AprBroadly matches local guides, with some differences
SubtropicalMar to JunMatches local guides
TropicalMar to AugNot yet checked against a local guide
AridMar to AugMatches local guides

Your local conditions can shift any months shown here, so treat them as a guide.

Growing details

How to start
Sow directly in the bed
Sowing depth
12mm
Plant spacing
30cm
Row spacing
45cm
Height
20cm
Germination
About 10 days
Time to harvest
50 days from sowing
Frost
Hardy, takes a light frost
Sun
Full sun
Life cycle
biennial, usually grown as an annual

These are typical figures, and varieties differ. Your seed packet takes priority.

Further reading on this plant