Kohlrabi, White Vienna
Kohlrabi, Early White Vienna
Heirloom. Organic. 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. This variety have a light green skinned exterior, white interior, and a bit smaller than the Purple Vienna Kohlrabi, but 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. 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.
Planting Early White Vienna Kohlrabi
While starting seeds of the Early White Vienna Kohlrabi is not necessarily difficult, the right conditions will make the process successful. Most gardeners sow Early White Vienna Kohlrabi Seeds directly in the ground in the spring when the threat of frost has passed. Keep the ground moist but not wet for the first couple of weeks. Pick a sunny, well-drained spot for planting for the best performance. Prefers a well-drained fertile soil in a sunny position. Start seedlings 4-6 weeks before your last frost date. Keep seeds moist for best germination. Transplant outside when soil reaches aproximately 45 degrees. A cool season crop, spring and fall plantings are best. Can overwinter if well mulched. Staggered plantings will ensure a good harvest through april. Heirloom seeds are hardy but always take care with your garden seeds to give them the appropriate amount of moisture - not letting the vegetable seeds dry out prematurely or overwatering and possibly having them rot. Germination should occur in 5-17 days in soil 70-85°F.
In rows thin plants to or set out transplants 6-8" apart. Height: 20-24” Spacing: 12-18 inches between rows Depth: 1/4 inch Germination: 5-17 days
Starting from Seed Indoors
Start Kohlrabi indoors 2-3 weeks prior to the last frost. Sow leek seeds ¼” deep and provide a soil temperature of 24°C (75°F) with even moisture. Thin and transplant young Kohlrabi seedlings once they reach 2” tall into 2¼” Jiffy pots. After all risk of frost, Kohlrabi seedlings may be set in a trench about 5” deep, filling in enough soil to cover the transplants. Space Kohlrabi plants 6-8” apart in rows 12-18” apart. Kohlrabi can be grown in large containers.
Direct-seeding into the Garden
Turn over the area you've selected to a depth of approximately 2 inches. Rake the area until it's level and smooth. Water the area until the soil is damp but not saturated. Scatter the seeds in the area. Gently rake the area to distribute the seeds further and protect them from birds. Or, press the seeds into the soil and cover with no more than 1/4 inches of soil. You can also place 2 to 3 seeds every 6-8 inches in rows approximately 12-18 inches apart, and cover seeds with 1/4 inches of soil. Place planting stakes around the area so you will know where to water. Check on your seeds about once a day. Make sure to mist the soil whenever it appears dry. Germination for the Kohlrabi plants is approximately 21 to 25 days, depending on the warmth of the soil. Some gardeners like to plant Kohlrabi in small hills.
Germination Problems
Growing plants from seeds successfully depends on a lot of factors and this makes it impossible to guarantee success on every batch of seeds planted. Factors include, soil composition, PH, temperature, moisture levels, seed depth, soil density, seed viability, seed storage and many others. We tested the germination of all our seeds and this seed variety is around 80%, but your results may vary based on exactly how you plant and all the environmental factors. Good luck.