Crops › Kohlrabi
How to grow Kohlrabi
in the US
Sow March to September, plant out October, harvest May to November. About 55 days from seed to plate. You can sow it this month.
Shown for zone 6. Zone table further down.
Kohlrabi, now that's a cracking vegetable, a bit unusual looking maybe, but proper easy to grow. It's a member of the cabbage family, you know, and gives you a lovely crisp, slightly sweet bulb that sits above the ground. On the plot, it looks like a little spaceship hovering there, and it's well worth finding space for.
Sowing
Being a cool season crop, you'll want to get your kohlrabi seeds started in spring or fall, not when it's really hot. You can direct sow them or start them indoors for transplanting later. For spring, sow about 4-6 weeks before your last frost, and for fall, sow about 8-10 weeks before your first frost. Check your USDA zone for the best months – it's usually April to May and then July to August for zones 3 and 4, or March to April and August to September for zone 6. Sow seeds a half-inch deep, about 4 inches apart, then thin them to 6-8 inches if you're direct sowing. Keep the soil damp, and you can sow a small batch every couple of weeks for a continuous harvest.
Growing on
If you started your seeds indoors, get them pricked out into individual pots once they have their first true leaves, like I do in my little greenhouse. Then, before planting them out, make sure you harden them off for a week or so, just to get them used to the outdoors. Plant them out in the garden about 6-8 inches apart in rows, giving each plant enough room for that bulb to swell. They don't need any special support, and you can even grow a few in decent-sized containers if your space is a bit tight.
Looking after it
Kohlrabi really likes a steady supply of moisture, especially as those bulbs start to form. If they dry out, they can get woody, and nobody wants that, do they? Water regularly, particularly during dry spells. A bit of general-purpose feed now and then won't hurt, and a good layer of mulch around the plants will help keep that moisture in and suppress weeds. Just keep an eye on them; they don't need much fuss, to be honest.
What goes wrong
Like most of the brassica family, kohlrabi can attract a few unwelcome visitors. Slugs and aphids are the main culprits I find. Keep an eye out for aphids on the undersides of the leaves, and you can just blast them off with water or use a bit of insecticidal soap. Cabbage worms can also be a pain, making holes in the leaves, so a row cover draped over your plants from sowing will keep them out right from the start. Planting marigolds or nasturtiums nearby can sometimes help deter pests too, you know what I mean.
Harvest
The best time to harvest kohlrabi is when the bulbs are about 2-3 inches across. Any bigger, and they can get a bit tough or woody, though some varieties do hold their quality well. It's usually about 55 days from sowing. Just cut the stem at the base, right where it meets the ground. Fresh is best, straight from the plot, but you can store them in a cool, dry place for a while. If you've got a proper glut, pop them in the fridge, they'll keep for a good few weeks there.
I always try to pick my kohlrabi fairly small, about the size of a tennis ball. They're so much sweeter and more tender then, proper lovely raw in a salad or grated into a slaw.
Dates for your plot
Type your zone and the plant-out advice shifts to your frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Early White Vienna This is an early maturing variety that gives you lovely pale green bulbs. It’s a great choice if you're keen to get your first kohlrabi harvest quickly. | No club votes yet |
| Early Purple Vienna A quick-growing purple-skinned kohlrabi that matures nice and early. Its vibrant color makes it a striking addition to any garden or plate. | No club votes yet |
| Kossak Kossak is a reliable maincrop performer, known for producing large, good-quality bulbs. It holds its flavor well even when grown to a decent size. | No club votes yet |
| Kolibri This maincrop variety offers attractive purple bulbs and is a consistent producer. It's a good choice for gardeners looking for a dependable crop. | No club votes yet |
| Azur Star Azur Star is a beautiful purple maincrop kohlrabi that grows well outdoors. It's known for its uniform bulbs and good resistance to splitting. | No club votes yet |
| Superschmelz A fantastic maincrop variety that lives up to its name, producing very large bulbs without sacrificing quality. It’s perfect if you want a proper big harvest. | No club votes yet |
| Winner Winner is a solid maincrop kohlrabi, offering good yields of well-formed bulbs. It's a dependable choice for your main growing season. | No club votes yet |
| Quickstar As the name suggests, Quickstar is an early maturing variety that gets you a harvest in no time. Ideal for extending your kohlrabi season. | No club votes yet |
| Delicacy White This maincrop variety provides tender, white-skinned bulbs with excellent flavor. It's a reliable choice for consistent quality harvests. | No club votes yet |
| Delicacy Purple Delicacy Purple is a lovely maincrop kohlrabi with a rich purple skin and crisp white flesh. It's a great option for both beauty and taste. | No club votes yet |
| Gigante Gigante is a maincrop variety known for its ability to grow really large without getting woody. A great option if you're after a substantial harvest. | No club votes yet |
| Lanro Lanro is a trustworthy maincrop kohlrabi that produces good-sized, flavorful bulbs. It’s a solid all-rounder for any gardener. | No club votes yet |
| Grand Duke Grand Duke is a maincrop variety that yields uniform, smooth bulbs with excellent internal quality. It's a reliable performer for consistent results. | No club votes yet |
| Blaril Blaril is a robust maincrop kohlrabi, well-suited for growing outdoors and producing reliable yields. It’s a good dependable choice for your plot. | No club votes yet |
| Konan Konan is a popular maincrop variety, noted for its fine texture and sweet taste. It's a good choice for those who appreciate high-quality produce. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
Buy Kohlrabi seeds
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Sowing by USDA zone
| Zone | Sow / plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April to August | June to September |
| Zone 4 | April to August | June to September |
| Zone 5 | March to August | May to October |
| Zone 6 | March to September | May to November |
| Zone 7 | February to September | April to November |
| Zone 8 | February to October | April to December |
| Zone 9 | January to November | March to December |
| Zone 10 | September to February | March to December |
Cook the harvest
A comforting, creamy soup that pairs the mild, turnip-like flavor of kohlrabi with buttery Yukon Gold potatoes, leeks, and fresh thyme, blended into a silky bisque. The kohlrabi adds a clean, slightly sweet flavor that elevates this beyond a basic potato soup. Serve with crusty bread for a satisfying light dinner.
45 min · easyWhole kohlrabi bulbs are hollowed out and stuffed with a fragrant herbed quinoa filling mixed with fresh vegetables, lemon, and feta cheese, then baked until tender. This visually striking vegetarian main course showcases kohlrabi in an entirely unique way, and the kohlrabi flesh scooped out becomes part of the filling. A wholesome and impressive dish.
65 min · mediumA French-inspired remoulade using julienned kohlrabi in place of celery root, dressed in a creamy, tangy mustard-mayonnaise sauce. Kohlrabi's firm, crunchy texture is ideal for this classic preparation, and its mild flavor absorbs the punchy dressing beautifully. Serve as a starter alongside charcuterie or as a side for grilled meats.
20 min · easyHollow kohlrabi globes filled with a savory mixture of sautéed ground pork, onion, garlic, and herbs, then baked until tender and golden — a Central European classic that makes a stunning and satisfying main course. The kohlrabi takes on a beautiful sweetness when baked while the filling stays juicy and fragrant. This is the kind of weeknight showstopper that looks far more impressive than the effort required.
65 min · mediumWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: marigolds, nasturtium
Questions people ask
When do you sow Kohlrabi in the US?
Sow Kohlrabi from March to September in zone 6, earlier or later by zone. Plant out October, after the last frost.
How long does Kohlrabi take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 55 days, with the harvest May to November.
Which Kohlrabi varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Early White Vienna, Early Purple Vienna, Kossak, Kolibri and more.
Track your Kohlrabi from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.