Kohlrabi – Purple Vienna

An ancient cultivar, Purple Vienna kohlrabi is the purple-red version of White Vienna kohlrabi. And like White Vienna, when the leaves are fresh, they can be cooked like other greens. Sow early in the spring for a summer harvest and then in late July or early August for a fall harvest.

Growing tips

Conditions of germination:

depth of sowing: 5 mm

optimal temperatures of germination: 10 to 30 ºC

time for germination: 5 to 10 days

When to sow:

direct seeding when the soil can be worked in the spring and the temperature remains above 8-10 ºC (about 2 weeks before the last frost) until 1 month before the first frost in the fall OR

Indoor seeding 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost date in your area

Sowing technique: in pocket

Inside the same hole, sow 3 to 5 seeds spaced 1 to 2 cm apart; when the seeds have germinated and the seedlings have reached a height of 5 cm, keep all the plants if space is available or keep only the best plants.

for indoor seedlings: transplant into individual containers while waiting for transplanting in the garden OR

for direct seedlings: transplant to their final location in the garden

Transplanting outdoors (for seedlings started indoors):

When all risk of frost is removed

Distance in the garden:

between plants: 15 to 20 cm

between rows: 30 cm

Soil: well drained, rich, humid

Exposure: full sun or light shade

Days to harvest: 50 to 65 days

Specificity: the need of water for kohlrabi cultivation is moderate, except in case of strong heat. A lack of water can cause a hardening of the roots which can become fibrous. The use of mulch at the foot of the plant allows to maintain the humidity longer and to prevent this phenomenon.

QUICK STATS

Number of seeds: ±500

Difficulty: Easy

Type: Heirloom / Open pollinated

Lifecycle:Biennial

Additional information

Weight            2.5 g

Difficulty         

Easy

Sowing          

Direct, Indoor

Lifecycle        

Biennial

Root cellar     

No

Sowing season        

Spring, Summer