Among all varieties of cabbage, kohlrabi is the least popular for growing in domestic gardeners. And it is completely in vain, because it has an excellent, very delicate taste and is characterized by low calorie content, which makes it possible to use it in dietary nutrition. What are the features of growing kohlrabi in the open ground, and how to properly care for it, let's figure it out.

The origin and description of the culture

Kohlrabi is one of the most amazing varieties of cabbage, the history of which began long before our era, on the shores of the Mediterranean. For the first time, vegetable farming was started in ancient Rome, later it spread almost throughout the world. The name “kohlrabi” comes from the two words of the German-Swiss dialect and means “cabbage and turnip”. Translated from Italian, it means "cabbage turnip".

Kohlrabi is a two-year-old herbaceous culture of the Cabbage family. Of all the varieties of plants, this cabbage is easily recognizable by its original appearance. The ripened kohlrabi looks like a spherical or ovoid stem-shaped stem on which numerous large leaves of a dark green color are formed in a spiral.

The edible part of the fetus is precisely the stembled, the aerial part of which, during ripening, is transformed into a repetitive stalk. The core of the vegetable is always white, characterized by a very gentle, juicy and unusual taste, as well as a rich chemical composition, which is represented by a wide range of active biological substances, micro and macro elements. The peel of the stem can be of two colors: white or purple. The size of the fruit, depending on the variety, is from 90 g to 5 kg.

The root system of the plant is quite powerful, can grow to a depth of 2 m. In the second year of vegetation, a stem with small flowers of yellow and white color is formed on the stem. After pollination, the flowers are transformed into pods up to 10 cm long, each of which contains tiny seeds.

Did you know? In ancient Rome, kohlrabi was considered food for the poorest and slaves. Most often, soup was prepared from it, which was distributed to the needy for free.

Optimal landing times

Kohlrabi is grown by both seed and seedling methods. Planting the culture of early ripening under the film is carried out no earlier than the last week of April, most often in early May. It is transplanted into the open ground after 2 weeks. Sowing cabbage seeds late in the growing season directly into the soil is carried out from mid-May to mid-June.

In any case, planting activities should be carried out on warm days, with a stable ambient temperature in the daytime of +14 ... + 16 ° C.

As for sowing seeds for seedlings, the following are considered optimal periods:

• for early harvests (mid June) - mid March;
• for late harvests (at the end of July) - in the first days of May;
• for harvesting in autumn - The last days of June.

Important! Cabbage of this species is characterized by rapid growth (vegetation period is 60–75 days), so you can sow it in the soil every two weeks, until the end of June.

Features of growing kohlrabi

As mentioned above, you can grow kohlrabi cabbage by seed method or through seedlings. The most popular among gardeners is the second method.

Selection and preparation of seeds for seedlings

Before you grow cabbage from seedlings, you should carefully prepare the seeds. As a seed material, choose medium-sized dense grains, previously tested for germination (seeds are lowered into a glass of water and those that are lowered) are selected.

Further, the seed material is disinfected in a special way in order to protect future seedlings from some ailments, in particular, the black leg, fungus, powdery mildew.

The seed treatment process consists of the following steps:

1. Seeds are wrapped in a woven material and dipped for 30 minutes in hot water with a temperature of at least + 50 ° C.
2. The grain cloth is cooled in cold water for 10 minutes.
3. Seeds are left in a warm room for 12 hours so that they swell.
4. The material is placed for 24 hours in the refrigerator.
5. Seeds are slightly dried in the fresh air.

Such hardening can improve the immunity of seedlings, increase its resistance to harmful climatic conditions and pests.

Preparation of soil for seedlings

For planting seeds, it is better to select nutritious, loose soil, which includes sand and turf soil, in a ratio of 1: 1. Humus and wood ash can be added to the soil.

The soil prepared at home is recommended to be disinfected using the most convenient method:

• spill the substrate with a weak solution of potassium permanganate (1 g per 10 l of water) and dry;
• warm the soil in the oven for 25-30 minutes at a temperature of + 180 ° C.

Soil for seedlings can also be purchased in specialized stores. Then the disinfection procedure can be omitted.

Sowing seeds for seedlings

For sowing seeds, you can use special cassettes, disposable plastic cups, wooden and plastic drawers.

The seed planting algorithm is built at the following stages:

1. Pour the soil in the tank, make small grooves with an interval of 3-4 cm from each other.
2. In the grooves, make indentations up to 1 cm and lay out one grain each.
3. Sprinkle the seeds with soil, moisten the surface with plenty of warm water.
4. Place the container on the windowsill. To accelerate the growth of seedlings, a container with seeds is covered with a plastic film to create a greenhouse effect.

Seedling Care

Seedlings under the film are recommended to be placed in a well-lit, warm place (+18 ... + 20 ° С), however, the container should be protected from the negative effects of direct sunlight. From time to time, the shelter needs to be removed, and the sprouts should be moistened with a spray gun.

After the shoots appear, the film must be removed, and the container with seedlings removed in a cooler place, with stable temperature values ​​of +10 ... + 15 ° С. Such measures can prevent the sprouts from stretching in length. Two weeks later, when the plant forms 3-4 full leaves, it can be dived into separate containers.

Before planting seedlings in open soil, experts recommend starting activities for hardening it.

To do this, carry out the following manipulations:

1. In the first 3-4 days, the seedlings are taken out onto the balcony or the veranda for several hours, increasing the stay time daily.
2. Further, the container with seedlings is kept in the open air all day, bringing it only at night.
3. Immediately before planting, seedlings are hardened on the street for 24 hours.

The hardening procedure allows you to strengthen the immune system, increase the protective functions of the plant and its resistance to bad weather conditions.

Did you know? In France, there is a special device that converts kohlrabi into pasta (pasta), which is then soaked in an orange fresh to give an original and unusual taste.

Planting Kohlrabi seedlings in open ground

To plant seedlings in the garden in open ground, you need to choose well-lit areas that are protected from drafts and sudden gusts of wind. The plant will take root perfectly and will bear fruit on the soil, where before that potatoes, onions, tomatoes, pumpkin, squash, carrots, and legumes grew.

Cabbage of this variety prefers loose, light soils, grows well on lands with a neutral or moderate acidity. On acidic and depleted soils, kohlrabi grows stiff and with a lot of coarse fibers. It is recommended that you prepare the soil for culture since the fall - dig and add organic fertilizers of 3-4 kg per 1 m².

Planting seedlings is carried out on a cloudy day, in the early morning or in the evening. Early varieties of crops are planted according to the scheme 60x40 or 70x30 cm, varieties with late ripening are planted according to the scheme 60x55 or 70x45 cm.

Important! Kohlrabi should not be planted in the garden where any cruciferous plants grew before that, since the crop yield will be low.

Planting sprouts is carried out according to this algorithm:

1. In the ground, make holes in which to add 2 tbsp. l superphosphate, 1 part of urea and 2 cups of wood ash.
2. Carefully remove the plant from the tank and place it in a hole with an earthen lump.
3. Sprinkle seedlings with soil to the level of cotyledon leaves.
4. After planting, tamp the ground a little, moisten abundantly. When the water is completely absorbed, sprinkle the soil with dry soil to avoid evaporation of moisture.

Watering Rules

Cabbage belongs to the category of moisture-loving, therefore, throughout the entire ripening period, it needs regular, plentiful watering. Planted seedlings are watered every 2-3 days, until it is completely rooted. 2 weeks after disembarkation, humidification is carried out 1 time in 7 days. It is important to ensure that the soil near the bushes is always slightly moist. The cabbage feels a special need for moisture in July, when the weather is hot on the street.

Top dressing

Kohlrabi throughout the growing season (starting from the moment of sowing seeds for seedlings) must be fed at least three times:

• the first feeding is carried out by means of complex fertilizers during the development of two full leaves;
• 2 weeks before planting in open ground, seedlings are treated with a solution consisting of 10 l of water, 1 tbsp. potassium sulfate and 1 tbsp. urea
• for the third time, fertilizers are applied when planting the plant in open soil, for this, organic matter and minerals are used.

Hilling and loosening the soil

After irrigation, it is recommended that the soil be loosened, which allows the soil to be enriched with oxygen and valuable substances necessary for root nutrition. The first loosening procedure is carried out to a depth of 4-5 cm, while ridding the area of ​​weeds. Further cultivation is carried out more deeply, up to 8-10 cm. It should be remembered that only in loose soil does cabbage acquire its tenderness and juiciness.

Important! Loosening must be carried out very carefully and carefully so as not to damage the stem and not sprinkle it with earth.

Before the beginning of intensive growth of the stem, hilling of the bush is carried out, which makes it possible to strengthen the root system of the plant and activate the development of the fruit.

Pest and Disease Control

With improper agricultural technology, various ailments and parasites can lie in wait for cabbage.

Most of all, it is exposed to the negative effects of such diseases:

1. Blackleg. The fungus manifests itself in the form of blackening and, as a consequence, further decay of the root neck and stem. Prevent the development of the disease helps preventive treatment of the roots with a solution of potassium permanganate.
2. Kila. This is one of the most dangerous diseases for a plant, which is easy to diagnose by the external state of cabbage: it fades, foliage and stalk become sluggish, the root system begins to rot. Unfortunately, there are no measures to control the keel, and infected bushes are completely destroyed. Processing of seed material with Granozan solution helps protect against the disease.
3. Mosaic. Viral disease affects the leaves of the culture, they gradually turn yellow, dry, then fall off. In this case, diseased bushes are destroyed, and then timely weed removal is carried out.

In addition to ailments, kohlrabi can be attacked by pests:

Did you know? Kohlrabi leaves contain several times more vitamins and valuable substances than the stembled itself. However, only young foliage is suitable for eating.

1. Slugs and snails. Parasites damage the leaves of the culture, leave numerous small holes and a characteristic mucous trail on them. From these pests, watering the plants from top to top with a hot solution of dry mustard (150 g per 10 liters of water) helps well.
2. Tobacco thrips. They suck out the juice from the leaves of cabbage, which leads to a lack of moisture and, as a result, yellowing, drying and falling of leaves. “Aktellik”, “Inta-vir”, “Karate” and other insecticides control pests.
3. Aphid. The presence of the parasite can be seen due to the accumulation of numerous eggs on the stembled. For the destruction of pests, the treatment of plantings with soapy water shows good efficiency.

In the fight against ailments and parasites, an important role is played by preventive measures, the main of which is compliance with crop rotation. It is very important throughout the growing season to successfully get rid of weeds and maintain optimal irrigation and feeding patterns.

Harvesting and storage methods

In most cases, kohlrabi is grown to produce an early crop. That is why the fruits are harvested when they reach a size in diameter of 7-8 cm. Early varieties are harvested as they ripen, but they are stored for no more than two weeks in the refrigerator.

Cabbage sown at the beginning of summer is harvested in the fall, when the temperature in the daytime is +3 ... + 5 ° C, and nightly temperatures vary between 0 ... + 2 ° C. Cleaning is carried out on a warm, dry day. The fruits are dug out of the soil along with the root system, carefully dried in the air, cleaned of leaves and remaining soil. Fruits are stored in plastic or wooden boxes with sand, so that they do not come into contact with each other.

Important! The fruits must not be overripe, otherwise the cabbage begins to harden, acquires fiberiness, loses its delicate and juicy structure.

Kohlrabi is notable for its good keeping quality, however, for the longest possible storage, it needs to organize certain conditions: a dry, well-ventilated, cool room with a temperature of +1 ... + 3 ° C and a rather high humidity level of 90–95%. Optimum storage stems are considered to have purple stalks. Subject to all conditions, kohlrabi is able to maintain its aesthetic and taste qualities for 5–8 months.

Kohlrabi cannot be called a traditional vegetable used in our daily diet. However, it has an excellent taste and contains a storehouse of useful vitamins and minerals necessary for normal human life. Many farmers do not dare to grow such cabbage in their gardens because of its overseas origin, although in vain, because the plant takes root perfectly in the climatic conditions of our country, is unpretentious in maintenance and allows you to get several crops in one season.