Kohlrabi 'Purple Vienna'

Purple Vienna is a purple-skinned heirloom Kohlrabi with sweet white flesh. Edible both raw or cooked, flavour tastes like a cross between cabbage and turnip. The swollen stem segment grows just above the soil surface and is best picked young for optimal tenderness. Cold hardy and easy to grow. Each packet contains approx 120 seeds.
Kohlrabi 'Purple Vienna'
Kohlrabi 'Purple Vienna'
Price Per Packet: $ 2.50

Growing Advice

Scientific Name: Brassica oleracea Gongylodes Cultivar Group

Common Names: Kohlrabi 'Purple Vienna', Purple German Turnip

Family: Brassicaceae

Origin:

Purple Vienna is an traditional, open-pollinated heirloom kohlrabi variety dating from prior to 1860 and likely first grown in Vienna, Austria.

Culinary Uses:  

Purple Vienna kohlrabi skin is vibrant purple in colour but the flesh inside is white, very tender and mildly sweet.  Great when diced or grated and eaten raw in salads, or when blended raw into smoothies.  Can also be cooked, some great ways to eat it include dicing the kohlrabi into strips and stir-frying it or chopping it coarsely and roasting it with other vegetables.  Harvest kohlrabis while still young, when they reach about 5cm in diameter for the best flavour and tenderness.  The leaves of kohlrabi can also be eaten when cooked but taste best when picked young.  

Growing Tips:

Choose a growing site that receives full sun or light shade.  Loosen soil by working it over with a fork prior to sowing for good root formation.  Incorporate lots of organic fertiliser or compost through the soil prior to sowing as kohlrabi can be a heavy feeder.  Light frosts can actually make kohlrabi flesh taste sweeter, so plan when to sow with this in mind if sweet tasting kohlrabi is what you're after.  Plant a few kohlrabi seeds each week during the growing season to ensure a continuous supply.

When To Sow:

In cooler regions of Australia sow kohlrabi seeds from August to March, in temperate regions sow from August to May, the the subtropics sow from March to August and in tropical regions sow from April to August.

How To Sow:

Sow kohlrabi seeds 6mm deep spacing plants about 20cm apart to allow plenty of room to grow.

Time To Germination:

Kohlrabi seeds take between 5 and 15 days to germinate after sowing.

Time To Harvest:

Purple Vienna kohlrabi will be ready to harvest 8 to 10 weeks after sowing, depending on growing conditions.