Growing Non-GMO Early White Vienna Kohlrabi Vegetable Seeds
How to Grow Early White Vienna Kohlrabi from Seed
Kohlrabi is a cool season crop grown similarly to cabbage able to be sown direct in early spring or early fall. For earliest starts, begin indoors 3-4 weeks prior to frost dates. Plant 3-4 seeds 1/2" deep per cell or 3-4" apart in the garden in Organically rich, loamy, and well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-7.5.
Seeds germinate in 3-10 days, thinning out best starts to 1 plant every 12-15" in the garden as true leaves establish. Kohlrabi does not do well in containers. A thin layer of top mulch helps retain moisture and cool roots during warm summer months.
Early White Vienna Kohlrabi in the Vegetable Garden
Kohlrabi is a unique variety of Brassica which, like celeriac, is grown specifically for its wide and bulbous stem rather than its leafy greens or roots. Kohlrabi boasts all the same tolerances for disease and cold as broccoli, cabbage, and kale, and is believed to always taste best after a few light frosts. Translated from German kohl ("cabbage") and rabe ("turnip"), kohlrabi can truly best be described in both flavor and appearance as some turnip-like cabbage or cabbage-like turnip.
Early White Vienna Kohlrabi, (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes) has a nickname of Petra. Very similar to cabbage, this variety is much sweeter and creamier. The bulb is a pale green/white color, the stems grow big with large leaves, which can be a replacement for spinach. It likes cooler climates, but will grow in most zones. It needs full sun, but too much heat can dry them out. This annual is an early variety and is ready before Purple Vienna Kohlrabi.
Does not require much water. Soil needs to be kept moist, but not over saturated. Weeds around Kohlrabi need to be kept under control, as they require a lot from the soil to grow properly. As it prefers the cold, gardeners in warmer zones, where there is no frost should plant in the fall for a spring harvest. Kohlrabi is great for cooking. It can be added fresh to salads, but the root needs to be peeled. Delicious baked, blanched, or pickled.
Harvesting Early White Vienna Kohlrabi
Harvest kohlrabi at about 60 days or once the stem is 2-3" in diameter. Kohlrabi is best enjoyed as a young plant because, if allowed to grow larger than 3", the bulb will taste woody, bitter, and unpalatable. Harvest kohlrabi from cutting at the base with a knife and trimming the leaves off before eating. Kohlrabi greens can be harvested and enjoyed just like kale, mustard, or collards.
Remove the rootlets and leaves for winter storage.
About Early White Vienna Kohlrabi Seeds
Non-GMO Early White Vienna seeds produce kohlrabi with light green bulbs. The flavor is mild, resembling the taste of a turnip. Kohlrabi can be grown in zones 3 to 9. This variety is mature in 55 days, making this an earlier option than the Purple Vienna.
Kohlrabi was first introduced sometime just before the Civil War. Three varieties appeared later in the 1884 D.M. Ferry Seed Catalog.
Obviously Kohlrabi has made an impact on gardeners and chefs alike as it has stood the test of time. Kohlrabi is actually a member of the cabbage family, but the edible part is actually an enlarged stem. Best harvested when the stem reaches 2-3 inches. Many people use the young leaves in salads or steamed.
Kohlrabi is a good source of Thiamin, Folate, Magnesium and Phosphorus, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Potassium, Copper and Manganese.
This variety has a light-green skinned exterior, white interior, and is a bit smaller than the Purple Vienna Kohlrabi, but with a slightly faster growth rate. Plant kohlrabi in rich soil about 1/4 inch deep. They love moisture once established and will benefit from an ample side dressing of compost. Continue to sow every 2-3 weeks for a continuous crop.
