Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
• earliness, quickness in forming head
• flavor
• ability to form a head
• stability (good root development)
• short stalk
• head size
• true-to-type color and head shape (peaked, round, flat-round)
• lack of bacterial or fungal infections
• storage length for storage varieties
CULTIVATION HISTORY
Ruffly leaved brassicas were known even in ancient times in the Mediter-
ranean region. Perhaps these Roman crops were the ancestors of the savoy cabbage we know today.
Savoy cabbage is widely grown in western Europe, in the western Mediterranean region, and in North
America, as a highly prized autumn and winter vegetable. Its leaves are used in soups and in vegetable
dishes. Savoy cabbage is rich in minerals, especially phosphorus, potash, and magnesium.
KOHLRABI
Brassica oleracea
convar.
caulorapa
var.
gongylodes
The kohlrabi we know today, with the tender flesh of its swollen stem and its relatively few, small
leaves, comes from an older, tankard-shaped fodder form. This fodder kohlrabi has a very large “bulb”
(up to 14 in. [35 cm] long and over 6 in. [15 cm] thick) and tall (up to 28 in. [70 cm]), dense foliage.
Despite its size and long growing season, the fodder kohlrabi does not become woody and can be
stored for many months in the root cellar.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
• 10 to 15 plants, selected from at least 30 plants
• overwintering strategy
• insect netting (or absence of cabbage pests)
• trellis or one support pole per flowering plant
• bed sheet or cloth bag
GROWING FOR SEED
Time the starting of seeds such that plants attain a normal eating ripeness at the
time they are to go into storage. When seed is sown too early, plants become overgrown and crack
open, which often leads to rotting in storage. Early to mid summer is the right time to sow seeds in
most areas.
Kohlrabi is best overwintered in a dirt or gravel-floored root cellar in sand or in pots. It is more res-
istant to rot than cabbage, making it comparatively easy to overwinter. In regions where the temperat-
ure stays above 19°F (−7°C) all winter, kohlrabi can be overwintered outdoors. Overwintering is most
successful after a dry autumn, which contributes to a low water content of the plant.
