Kohlrabi Seed Starting
Kohlrabi is a nutritious vegetable to add to the garden. It is a terrific source of potassium and vitamin C, containing 140% of the RDA for vitamin C. It is also low in calories with one cup of diced kohlrabi weighing in at only 4 calories, a great reason for propagating kohlrabi seeds! Starting kohlrabi from seeds is a simple process. Because it is a cool season vegetable, kohlrabi seed starting should take place in early spring or in early fall. Wait to begin starting kohlrabi from seeds until soil temperatures are at least 45 degrees F. (7 C.), although seeds will generally germinate if the soil temperatures are as low as 40 degrees F. (4 C.). Saved seeds are generally viable for up to 4 years.
How to Plant Kohlrabi Seeds
Kohlrabi seed propagation starts with fertile soil. When starting kohlrabi from seeds, plant the seeds about ¼ inch (0.5 cm.) deep in rows that are 2 feet (61 cm.) apart. Seedlings will emerge within 4-7 days and should be thinned to 4-6 inches (10 to 15 cm.) apart in the row. Depending upon the variety, kohlrabi will be ready to harvest 40-60 days from planting. The tender young leaves of the plants can be used much like spinach or mustard greens. The “bulb” is at its peak when it has grown to 2-3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm.) across; larger kohlrabi tends to be woody and tough.
