When to harvest kohlrabi cabbage and beds

Kohlrabi is a relative of white cabbage, belonging to the same biological species. It is easy to care for and tolerates cold climates well. This biennial plant is distinguished by its early maturity and the ability to produce up to 3 harvests per season. The vegetable has the best taste if the rules of agricultural technology, harvesting and storage are observed, which we will discuss in this article.

When to remove kohlrabi cabbage from the garden

Kohlrabi is considered one of the most cold-resistant garden crops. The vegetable is not afraid of short-term frosts either in spring or autumn. It is possible to get 3 harvests per season - the earliest ripening varieties ripen in 2 months. But such vegetables are immediately eaten or processed.

They are not suitable for long-term storage. This is due to the more tender pulp of the early varieties. Late varieties are subject to long-term storage - the harvest is harvested in the fall when the vegetable reaches the required degree of maturity.

Attention! If kohlrabi is left in the garden for too long, it loses its beneficial components and taste - it becomes dry, hard and fibrous.

Ripening time

When to harvest kohlrabi cabbage:

1. Early ripening (Moravia, Sonata F1, Vienna white 1350) - 55-70 days from emergence. They get 2-3 harvests per season.
2. Mid-season (Violetta, Azur, Blue Planet F1) - 80-120 days after the first shoots.
3. Late ripening (Giant, Globe) - after 120-180 days.These varieties, which have dense pulp, are excellent for long-term storage.

The time of ripening and harvesting depends on the planting date of a particular variety. Early ones are planted in April and harvested in June. Further replanting is permissible - the harvest is harvested in August.

Late varieties are recommended to be planted in June, and clean at the end of September or October. The air temperature should not fall below -4°C. Short-term frosts will not harm the vegetable.

Signs of maturity

To determine the maturity of cabbage, they are guided by the diameter of the stem. A ripe vegetable has a diameter of 7-8 cm (for early varieties), 8-10 cm (for late varieties). With further growth, the cabbage coarsens, becomes dry and tough.

The weight of a ripe fruit is 90-120 g, the weight of late-ripening hybrids can reach 500-600 g.

How to harvest correctly

With proper care, you can harvest 2 kg of cabbage from 1 m² of soil. It is recommended to choose a dry, sunny day for harvesting vegetables. You can collect kohlrabi together with white cabbage.

Attention! If night frosts have already begun, it is better to wait until the second half of the day (until above-zero temperatures).

To make it easier to remove the vegetable from the ground, the soil is watered the day before harvesting. The use of special equipment is not required. Before storing them with garden pruners, cut off all the leaves from the cabbage, leaving only the small ones at the top.

How to preserve kohlrabi for the winter at home

To preserve the freshness of the crop for a long time, it is recommended to follow the following rules:

1. There is no need to wash the fruits after picking - just remove the remaining soil.
2. Plant only varieties of purple color (Violetta, Giant, Delicious Blue) - they are more suitable for storage.
3. Keep the fruits in a cool room with a temperature of 0 to +1°C and a relative humidity of 95%.
4. Only healthy specimens (without cracks or mold) are suitable for storage.

Vegetables for a long time stored in the cellar, refrigerator or freezer.

Even at room temperature, kohlrabi, unlike cauliflower and broccoli, does not lose its nutrients and taste for 2-3 days.

How to store in the cellar

A reliable way to keep kohlrabi fresh is to place it in the cellar. It is recommended to use any of the following methods:

1. Place vegetables in boxes or baskets. Sprinkle wet sand on top or cover with polyethylene (loosely).
2. Make a track of sand 7-10 cm high on the floor and stick the cabbage with the roots down at some distance from each other (so as not to touch), that is, to imitate “planting”.
3. Hang the fruit by the root on the wire. In this case, it is also necessary to maintain a distance between the vegetables so that they do not touch.

Recommended room temperature is 0°C, humidity is 95-100%.

Attention! If the cellar is dry, a container of water will help achieve the desired humidity. The temperature level will be maintained by the room heating system.

If the conditions are met, early varieties of kohlrabi retain their beneficial properties and taste for 2 months. The shelf life of late varieties is 5 months.

Freezing

This method ensures the longest possible storage of vegetables:

1. Rinse the heads of cabbage first.
2. Cut into slices or coarsely grate. It is not recommended to store vegetables whole.
3. Place the prepared kohlrabi into bags and remove into the freezer.

Another freezing method that allows you to preserve maximum vitamins and minerals:

1. Cut the cabbage into small slices (about 2 cm).
2. Place the pieces in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then cool in ice water.
3. After removing the liquid, place the cabbage in portions in plastic bags and place in the freezer.

Recommended storage temperature is at least -18°C. When frozen, cabbage retains its beneficial and tasty qualities for 9 months.

How long does it last in the refrigerator?

Maximum shelf life kohlrabi in the refrigerator - 1 month. All foliage is removed from the vegetable, leaving only cuttings.

Attention! There should be no wounds or damage on the stem fruit. Otherwise, this will significantly speed up the spoilage of the cabbage.

For storage, the head of cabbage is wrapped in paper, or preferably in a damp cloth, which will retain its juiciness. Then they put it in a plastic bag - do not close it tightly, otherwise the greenhouse effect will spoil the cabbage.

With this method of storage, the vegetable begins to lose its beneficial and tasteful qualities after 2-3 weeks. By the end of the month he becomes sluggish and stiff.

Conclusion

With the cultivation of unpretentious kohlrabi Even a novice gardener can handle it. Cabbage is cold-resistant, so you can harvest it after the onset of night frosts. However, it is important not to overexpose the vegetable in the garden: if the diameter of the stem exceeds the permissible norm, the kohlrabi will become hard and dry.

Store cabbage in the refrigerator, cellar or freezer. In the latter case, the shelf life is maximum and is 9 months.