Purple Vienna Kohlrabi is a hardy biennial usually grown as an annual.  It is a member of the cabbage family and has a swollen globe-shaped stem that makes it look like a turnip growing on a cabbage root. It is very striking purple skinned variety with a mild tasting greenish to white interior.  Flesh has a nutty flavor when eaten raw and a mild cabbage taste when cooked. Young leaves can be used in salads or steamed.  An excellent companion plant amongst cucumbers, beets, celery and potatoes. Irrigation is essential for best growth. Purple Vienna withstands considerable frost and when conditions are not too cool or too hot, crops can be harvested as little as six to eight weeks after sowing but are best when the stem reaches 5-7.5 cm (2-3") in diameter. 

Growing Instructions:

Kohlrabi is a tasty and unusual vegetable that is easy to grow in a variety of climates. It prefers cool weather and can be planted in early spring or late summer. Kohlrabi seeds should be sown 0.5-1cm (¼-½”) deep and spaced 10-15cm (4-6”) apart in rows spaced 30-45cm (12-18”) apart. Keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate, which usually takes 5-10 days. When the seedlings are 7-10cm (3-4”) tall, thin them to one plant every 15-20cm (6-8”) to give them enough space to grow. Kohlrabi prefers well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. Kohlrabi is ready to harvest when the bulbs are 5-10cm (2-4”) in diameter. To harvest, cut the bulbs off at the base of the stem. Kohlrabi can be eaten raw or cooked and has a mild, sweet flavor.

Soil Conditions: Well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Planting Depth: Sow seeds 0.5-1cm (¼-½”) deep. Germination: 5-10 days. Height at Maturity: 20-30cm (8-12”) tall. Days to Maturity: 45-60 days. Watering: Keep soil moist until seeds germinate. Kohlrabi prefers consistent watering throughout the season. Sun/Shade: Full sun to partial shade. Spacing after Thinning: Thin seedlings to one plant every 15-20cm (6-8”).