While kohlrabi grows above ground, I think its texture is closer to a root vegetable. It is a cool season veggie which means that it grows better in the spring and fall. It comes in green, white and purple. It is very easy to grow and is a member of the cabbage family.
With my home garden, I just grow kohlrabi in the spring and fall. In the past, I have direct sowed kohlrabi seeds outdoors under cover. Keep in mind that kohlrabi seeds germinate best between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Now that I have my T5 grow lights, I usually start the seeds indoors in March and then transplant outside under cover in April. If you want to grow them in the summer heat, it will be difficult but it can probably be done with some shade and consistent moisture. Now for a fall harvest, I would suggest starting the seeds indoors in July and transplanting in August. The flavor of kohlrabi sweetens with a light frost.
You should sow kohlrabi 1/4” to 1/2″ deep and the spacing should be adjusted depending on the type. I typically grow Vienna kohlrabi which should be spaced 4″ apart . You should find the proper spacing on your seed packet. Depending on the variety, kohlrabi will mature between 50 and 130 days. I prefer the shorter maturity dates.
If you want to give kohlrabi some plant food, I would go with a balanced version or use compost. As for the hoop tunnel, I would use a lightweight fabric when the temperature is warm just to provide shade. The fabric will not only protect against temperature swings but also bad bugs such as cabbage worms. When there is a chance of frost, you may need to move to a heavier weight fabric.
If you missed my post on how to harvest and store kohlrabi, then just click on the link.
