I really like this brasica, it's quick, easy, versatile and tasty. I stick them between the broccoli plants.
This is Early Vienna, ready.
Andy P
Got Kohlrabi ?
Oh, man - thoe are awesome. I've never seen them growing before! They are perfect!
I have no luck at all w/the cole crops. I didn't even try any this year. Is there a secret I should know???
Secret? Plant early......
The only problem I have with cole crops is root maggots. A little Diazonon at planting takes care of that. It's the only time I use chemicals on veggies.
I'm a big proponent of this forgotten veggie. My childhood gardening mentor introduced it to me. It's great raw, stir fried, steamed, in stews, even chili.
The early varieties can be planted any time in northern climates. I have fresh ones from June to December.
This is an early purple variety.
Talk about a Martian! LOL! Very cool. I love Kohrabi, just never saw it growing - just sitting there on the dirt like someone placed it there. I've tried cabbage and brocolli and brussel sprouts and cauliflower. Last year I FINALLY got 1 cauliflower to grow - it maxed out at about 3"! And the brocolli always grows wild and free - never heads or lumps or whatever you call it. The individual stalks with their mini-broc are very tasty, but it takes the entire plant to make a meal. And the cabbage never heads - looks more like looseleaf lettuce. It's depressing.
Are yo saying I can't plant some kohlrabi now???
Great looking Kohlrabi :)
Have you ever tried the "riesen kohlrabi" (giant kohlrabi)?
I used to grow the varieties you are growing, but I found they became wooden and split if you don`t pick them at the right time.
The ones I grow now is the giant...it becomes pretty big...about the size of a small cabbage, but you can pick them at the earlier stages as well and most importantly they don`t become wooden.
I always brought the seeds back from germany, but I have seen them now available in some seed catalog as well.
My prefered way of eating them, is cut in slices, boiled and served with a buttersauce, my dear mom used to make them like this.
Thea :)
Here are some easy to grow, very good Kohlrabi.
http://www.johnnyseeds.com/catalog/product.aspx?scommand=search&search=321&item=321
Let this one go to about 3½" diameter if you like. It never gets woody!
http://www.gourmetseed.com/Kohlrabi_Seed.0.html
Here you can buy Superschmeltz, A large German variety, & Noriko. It is the talk of the market here, it is so tender & sweet!
6" diameter is the norm for Superschmeltz.
We start our plants in the greenhouse & transplant out. Plant some every couple of weeks. Still never have enough!
Only problem here with brasica is cabbage worms. They can be controlled with weekly spraying. For organic control use Thuricde.
Broccoli, we harvest side shoots mainly. They grow after the first head is harvested. To me they are better tasting than the first head. You can keep harvesting the side shoots until plant freezes. Just don't let them flower.
Have a Great Day!
Bernie
This message was edited Jun 27, 2008 5:31 AM
Adding, Noriko is very fast growing, so is an early variety.
How do you eat /prepare them.?
Easiest way is peel & eat raw.
You can cook like potatoes, add a little butter. Throw in vegetable soup. Work nice on an vegetable tray with dip.
I like to julienne them and eat them raw, in salads and slaw. In wedges they do a nice crudite, and cubed for stews, hamhocks'n'beans, etc. Very versatile.
I can't wait to try growing them. I just scored some Early Vienna seeds, can I plant them now or do I have to wait until it cools down a bit?
Should grow anytime, just make sure it doesn't get to dry.
Sequee, you may not have enough organic mater in the soil. I add half a spade full of screened compost under each broccoli and a quarter under each kohlrabi. Never use 'fresh' manure.
Cabbage worms are controlled by Paper wasps. So don't panic at wasp nests under the eves, lol. It's cool to watch the wasps patrolling the plants, zoom in and fly off with a nasty worm.