How to Grow Kohlrabi in Australia
A cool-season brassica crop for the home garden
Growing your own Kohlrabi is one of the more satisfying things you can do in an Australian backyard. It is rated beginner to grow. Saves ~$3-5/week, unusual vegetable rarely found fresh in Australian supermarkets.
This guide covers when to plant Kohlrabi in your region, the position and soil it likes, how to sow and space it, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Kohlrabi is a cool-season crop, fully frost-hardy. In subtropical South-East Queensland it is sown in March, April, May, June and July. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Position and Soil
Give Kohlrabi full sun (at least 6 hours a day). It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 6 to 7.5. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. It grows happily in a pot of 30cm+, which makes it a fine choice for balconies and courtyards.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed about 1 cm deep. Thin or space plants to about 20 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 8 days, fastest when the soil is between 10 and 25 degrees.
Harvest when bulb is golf-ball to tennis-ball sized. Purple or green varieties, same flavour, milder than turnip.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 5 L per plant every 2 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Cabbage moth and Aphids. The main diseases to watch are Clubroot. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Kohlrabi is typically ready to harvest in around 60 days (about 2 months). Fridge without tops, up to 2 weeks.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, kohlrabi is good grated raw into slaws, sliced thinly for crudités and dipping, roasted with butter and thyme and peeled and eaten raw like an apple. Nutritionally: good source of vitamin C and fibre and contains minerals and antioxidants.
Companion Planting
Kohlrabi grows well alongside Beetroot and Onion. Keep it away from Tomato and Strawberry. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Kohlrabi Growing
Add kohlrabi to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Kohlrabi in Australia?
Kohlrabi is a cool-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is sown in March, April, May, June and July. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Kohlrabi take to grow?
Kohlrabi is generally ready to harvest in around 60 days (about 2 months).
Can I grow Kohlrabi in a pot?
Yes. Kohlrabi grows well in a container of 30cm+ with free-draining mix and regular watering.
How much sun does Kohlrabi need?
Give it full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Kohlrabi in the Plant Library
