When to plant Kohlrabi in Nottingham

Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes

Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi · Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes

A quick-growing brassica grown for its swollen stem, which tastes mild and crisp when picked young. It does best in cool UK conditions with steady moisture and protection from cabbage root fly and pigeons.

35 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Nottingham · last frost ≈ 20 Apr

Sow outdoors April to May, harvest June to July. Frost risk November to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Sow outdoorsNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoYesYesNoNoNoNoNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

  1. 01

    Sow Seeds

    6 Apr to 4 May Optional · repeat every 3 weeks

    Sow seeds around 6th April - 4th May in drills or short blocks, about deep. Sow a little at a time every 21 days for a steady run of crops rather than one large batch.

  2. 02

    Thin Seedlings

    20 Apr to 29 May Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    From 20th April, thin seedlings so the strongest plants are left at apart. Keep the soil lightly moist so the remaining plants keep moving without checking.

  3. 03

    Protect From Pests

    6 Apr to 27 Jul Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    From 6th April, cover the bed with fine mesh to keep out cabbage white butterflies and pigeons. Fit brassica collars snugly at the stem base to cut cabbage root fly damage, and check the netting after strong wind.

  4. 04

    Feed Plants

    27 Apr to 27 Jul Dates as each sowing reaches this stage Optional · repeat every 4 weeks

    From 27th April to 27th July, feed every 28 days with a nitrogen-rich fertiliser and keep the bed evenly watered. A steady feed helps the swollen stems bulk up without turning pithy.

  5. 05

    Harvest Swollen Stems

    1 Jun to 27 Jul Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    Start lifting or cutting from 1st June once the swollen stems are about across and still tender. Pick over the crop through 27th July, because older plants soon become woody and splitting is more common after dry spells.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Kohlrabi to consider

Kolibri

Purple-skinned, reliable and quick to mature, with crisp white flesh and a good shape for the home garden.

Azur Star

A neat, purple variety that crops well in the UK and stays tender if picked promptly.

Quickstar

A fast, compact green kohlrabi that suits small gardens and gives an early crop.

Winner

A solid green variety with good standing power and dependable bulbs for summer picking.

Kohlrabi guides by town

See how Kohlrabi timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.