Grow Kohlrabi Like a Pro: My Small Garden Secrets

I'm pretty sure I never would have discovered this veggie if I hadn't started gardening. This is kohlrabi and yes, it looks a little strange, almost like it's from another planet. If you've ever been curious about this quirky crunchy gem and wondered how to grow it, you're in the right place. Today I'm going to show you just how easy it is to grow kohlrabi in a small garden or a raised bed. If you're new to my channel, my name is Lani, your gardener friend in Maryland Zone 7. I had never heard of kohlrabi until I saw it in a video from a gardening creator I followed years ago. I remember thinking, what on earth is that? It looked so unusual, so I was quite interested. But once I tried it, I was hooked. It was crunchy and slightly sweet like an apple, with a hint of broccoli. Now it's one of my must-grow veggies every cool season, especially in spring. And the best part? It's way easier to grow than it looks. Kohlrabi is part of the brassica family, so think cabbage, broccoli, and kale. But it's totally unique. Instead of forming a head like cabbage, it grows this round juicy bulb along the stem above the ground. You can eat both the bulb and the leaves. It's one of those veggies that make you feel fancy just growing it, but it's super low maintenance. Kohlrabi loves cool weather. You can plant it in early spring or again in late summer for a fall harvest. Here in Maryland Zone 7, I start my seeds indoors about four to six weeks before the last frost, or direct sow in late August for fall. Kohlrabi needs at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. More light means better growth and sweeter flavor. Let me show you an example of a plant that didn't do well because it didn't get enough sun. It stayed stunted and nearby plants ended up shading it even more. For a healthy growth, plant in loose, well-draining soil enriched with compost. I always refresh my beds with compost before planting and add a bit of balanced fertilizer, just enough to support the growth. But not too much nitrogen or you'll end up with lots of leaves but tiny bulb. Kohlrabi likes even moisture, so keep the soil damp but not soggy. Mulching makes a big difference. It helps lock in moisture and keeps the weeds from competing with your plants. I like using wood shaving which I actually get as cedar pet bedding from my local farmer's supply store. But shredded leaves or straw work just as well and are great natural options too. When transplanting, give your kohlrabi 12 to 24 inches of space. This allows each plant plenty of room to form a healthy round bulb. You can fit quite a few in a small raised bed. In this raised bed, I could have planted 16 but I added a mix of other veggies so I settled with just 6. I try to be realistic about how much we'll actually eat. A few of them started bolting early because of our strange weather so I treated them like kale and simply harvested the leaves instead. Nothing goes to waste of course. Kohlrabi can attract pests like whiteflies, aphids, and slugs but the biggest troublemaker is the cabbage worm. To protect my kohlrabi and other brassicas, I use a fine insect netting or a cover system from bagel garden. It really helps to keep the pests out. Another option is to regularly check the leaves for cabbage moth eggs and remove them by hand. If you're not using a cover, you can also spray Just remember to reapply after it rains. Removing any yellowing or dying leaves also helps reduce pest issue. But out of all these methods, using physical barriers like netting has been the most effective way in keeping cabbage worms from wreaking havoc on my kohlrabi plants. Depending on the variety, you'll want to harvest when the bulb is about 3 to 4 inches wide or sometimes you can even harvest it when it's a little bit bigger than a golf ball but smaller than a baseball because if you wait too long, it can get woody. Just nip it at the base and peel the outer layer before eating. I eat the bulb raw in salads and slaw. I've also used it in stir fries and even sauteed in pancit and if you're Filipino, you would know what that is. And the greens, I treat them like collards or kale. Chop them for greens and stir fry or throw it into soups. Nothing goes to waste. If you've never tried growing kohlrabi before, I hope this gives you the push to do it. It's easy, fun and adds something totally different to your garden and your plate. Start with just a few plants and you might just fall in love with it like I did. I hope you enjoyed watching this video. Don't forget to like, subscribe and check out more tips at gingerfootgarden.com. Until next time, bye-bye.