Kohlrabi is one of the cabbage plants. Most types of cabbage are heavy feeders. Kohlrabi, on the other hand, does not place such high demands on the soil conditions. If you work the vegetable patch vigorously with humus and fresh manure in late autumn and leave it there over the winter, at least the "first occupation" of the kohlrabi will be well supplied with nutrients.

Generous planting distances for thick tubers

Before you start planting, make a groove in the bed with the rake. The marking makes it easier to position evenly. The early varieties need less space than the later ones: 20 - 30 cm between the plants is sufficient for the early varieties, the row spacing should also be about the same. Later in the year you should plan about 50 cm per kohlrabi plant - kohlrabi often has lush foliage. If you plant the plants too densely, the tubers will not develop optimally due to the lack of light and you will only harvest smaller cylindrical fruits.

watering and fertilizing

Even though kohlrabi is one of the easy-care types of cabbage, it needs your attention. If you want to harvest sizeable, smooth bulbs, regular watering of the plants is essential. If there are fluctuations in soil moisture, there is a risk that the kohlrabi will burst or become woody.

If you have prepared the soil well in autumn, the early kohlrabi do not need any additional fertilizer. However, if you want to harvest kohlrabi throughout the year, you should fertilize sparingly but continuously with nettle manure or horn meal. Caution: If there is too much fertilizer, the kohlrabi will accumulate nitrates.

Observe crop rotation

Cabbage plants are cruciferous plants and are among the heavy feeders. At the location where you have cultivated cabbage types - including kohlrabi - you should not grow cabbage types for at least 3 - 4 years. Otherwise the plants will starve and the harvest will be poor. In addition, the risk of pest infestation and diseases increases.

Cultivation in mixed culture

Sympathy or resentment is not limited to humans. Even in the plant kingdom there are plants that support each other and plants that you shouldn't bring together. For example, kohlrabi feels good next to potatoes and tomatoes, chard, lettuce, cucumbers and marigolds. The neighborhood with other cruciferous plants, however, is not recommended. These include i.a. Gold lacquer, levitations and blue cushions.

tips and tricks

When bringing the plants into the bed, make sure that they are not planted too deeply. Otherwise the tuber will rot if it touches the ground.

Category:

Vegetable garden