Growing Kohlrabi in Australia: The Complete Guide
Kohlrabi is an easy brassica to grow, needing full sun with consistent watering.
Kohlrabi is one of the easy additions to a home garden, and this article walks through everything behind our one-page printable guide in a bit more depth.
A stem that swells like a bulb
The edible part of kohlrabi is actually a swollen stem sitting just above soil level, not a root — an unusual growth habit among the brassicas.
How to Plant Kohlrabi
Method — direct sow or transplant seedlings. Soil — rich, well-drained, moderately fertile. Timing — sow in cooler months for the best texture.
Ongoing Care
Worth paying attention to:
- Keep soil evenly moist — irregular watering causes woody bulbs.
- Harvest at the right size — overgrown bulbs turn tough.
- Net against cabbage moth.
- Mulch to keep the swelling stem cool and moist.
Common Problems
Keep these points in mind:
- Cabbage moth — net or hand-pick.
- Woody texture — harvested too late; pick at tennis-ball size.
- Splitting — irregular watering.
- Clubroot — rotate beds, keep pH up.
When and How to Harvest
Signs — bulb reaches 5–8cm across — larger varieties can go bigger without toughening. Method — cut at the base just below the swollen stem. Curing — none needed. Storage — fridge crisper, 2–3 weeks.
For the condensed, printable version of everything above, head to the main kohlrabi guide page.