Excellent sweet flavour and crunchy texture makes Sparta a winner in the garden. Dark green ruffled, edible leaves are attractive atop the pale green globes. Bulbs are a bit flattened with shorter and more prostrate stems than the upright Konan. Fast to mature, kohlrabi can be planted multiple times to have a consistent supply late spring to fall. Covering seedlings with floating row cover protects your crop from flea beetles and other cabbage family pests.
Matures in 50 days
West Coast Seeds Sparta F1 Kohlrabi Seeds, Per Package
Starting
Sow seeds 5mm (¼”) deep with plants spaced 10-15cm (4-6″) apart in rows 30-45cm (12-18″) apart.
Timing
Direct sow several times during the four to six weeks after the last frost date for a crop to mature starting in about 8 weeks. Sow again after mid-July to early August for fall and winter crops. Planting between mid-May and mid-July causes kohlrabi to mature in hot weather, resulting in inferior bulbs. In short season areas, start kohlrabi indoors in cell trays about 4 weeks before the last frost date and transplant out once day time temperatures are steadily above 10°C (50°F). Optimal soil temperature for germination: 10-30°C (50-85°F). Seeds should germinate in 7-10 days.
Harvest
Spring-sown kohlrabi will get larger than tennis balls in fair soil, but if you pick them when they are still less than 5-8cm (2-3″) in diameter they will be sweet and tender. Fall-grown kohlrabi can grow larger yet stay tender. Kohlrabi is frost-hardy, and may last well beyond Christmas in mild winter areas.
