How to grow Kohlrabi in Australia
Grow in full sun in firm, fertile soil, spacing plants about 25cm apart. Keep watering steady and even, as irregular moisture makes the swollen stems woody and split.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 5 litres a week, watered every 2 days
- Spacing: 20 cm
- Time to harvest: 60 days
- Time to germinate: 8 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 7.5
- Frost tolerance: Frost hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | March to July | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | March to July | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | March to July | Cool-season preference; extended autumn-winter window. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | March to July | Sow Mar to Jul. Cool temps prevent bolting; Melbourne's long cool season ideal. |
| Adelaide & SA | March to July | |
| Perth & WA | March to August | Fast cool season brassica; sow Mar to Aug for autumn and winter bulbs. |
| Tasmania | September to February | Sow Sep to Feb. Fast brassica that never gets woody in cool summers. |
| Canberra & ACT | December to March | Sow Dec to Mar for quick autumn bulbs. Winter soil is too cold for germination in Canberra. |
| North Queensland | May to July | Dry season May to Jul. Kohlrabi is cool-season brassica; sow early dry season. |
| Darwin & Top End | May to July | Dry season May to Jul. Kohlrabi is cool-season brassica; sow early dry season. |
Companion planting
Good companions
Avoid planting near
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Harvest when the swollen stem reaches the size of a tennis ball, before it turns woody. Cut the bulb off at the base with a knife.
Storage
Fridge without tops, up to 2 weeks.