Purple Vienna Kohlrabi

Purple Vienna Kohlrabi is a stunning addition to any garden, with its vibrant purple bulb and lush green leaves creating a striking visual contrast. This heirloom variety is not only beautiful but also highly versatile and easy to grow. Beneath its colorful exterior lies crisp, tender flesh with a mild, sweet flavor that’s perfect for both raw and cooked dishes, whether grated into a fresh slaw, roasted to perfection, or added to soups and stir-fries. Its compact growth habit ensures it fits perfectly in smaller garden spaces or containers, with harvestable bulbs ready in just a few weeks. Its vibrant purple skin adds a pop of color to your garden and your plate, making it a favorite for food enthusiasts and gardeners alike. This nutrient-packed vegetable is a powerhouse of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, making it a healthy addition to any diet.

Also Known As: Purple Kohlrabi, Red Kohlrabi, Purple Turnip Cabbage, Purple Globe Kohlrabi, Red Vienna Kohlrabi, Red Turnip Cabbage, Early Purple Vienna Kohlrabi, Purple Stem Kohlrabi, Violet Kohlrabi.

Plant Name:	Kohlrabi, Purple Vienna
Latin Name:	Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes
Days to Germinate:	5-10
Days to Harvest:	55
Plant Height:	12 - 18 Inches
Spread:	4 - 12 Inches
Growth Habit:	Upright
USDA Zones:	3-10
Lifespan:	Biennial
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 12 inches apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage.

Planting:

Kohlrabi prefers the cool weather of Spring or Fall.

Starting Indoors: For an earlier harvest, you may optionally start planting indoors in containers 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when the soil temperature is above 55F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the holes, burying roots in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors, plant in spring when the soil warms to at least 50F. For fall crops, direct sow seeds outdoors 12-14 weeks before the first frost. To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 8 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole. If choosing to thin to the strongest plant, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1/4 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	8 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	12-18 inches

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils.

Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: Once seedlings are established, 3-4 weeks after planting, you may optionally apply 2 tablespoons of a complete fertilizer around each hole, or 1-2 pounds per 100 square feet, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Harvest Kohlrabi when the bulbs are about 2 to 4 inches in diameter, around 50 to 70 days after planting. If left too long, the bulbs can become tough and woody, so it's best to harvest when they are still young and tender. Gently pull the bulbs from the ground or use a garden fork to lift them, and make sure to cut off the leaves and any stems.