Scottish growing tool

Kohlrabi Variety Selector: Which One For Your Garden

Every recommendation below traces back to our full Kohlrabi varieties comparison — this page is the fast route to one answer for your specific situation, no clicking through required.

If: Fastest possible harvest → Yes, I check the plot regularly

KolibriAGM

Kolibri is ready in under eight weeks, the quickest of the four to a usable harvest, but it needs harvesting and eating young: left on the plant past that point the stem turns bitter, not just woody. It suits gardeners who check the plot regularly and pick promptly, since it has the least margin for error of the four.

If: Fastest possible harvest → Not really, weeks can pass between visits or Fastest possible harvest → Not sure, just give me the safest all-round choice or Resisting bolting and mildew through an unpredictable spring or Not sure, just give me the safest all-round choice

OliviaAGM

Olivia is slow to bolt and has strong tolerance of mildew and other fungal diseases, a direct answer to the mild-week-then-cold-snap swings of a Scottish spring that push brassicas into premature flowering. It's the default pick for most Scottish gardens for that reason.

If: Sowing as early as possible, with good holding time once it's ready

KoristAGM

Korist is suited to early sowings and has a long holding ability, staying usable for longer after reaching size instead of turning woody within days. It also shows good resistance to downy mildew, making it the strongest pick if you want to sow as soon as conditions allow without racing the calendar to harvest.

If: Growing the biggest kohlrabi, and I garden somewhere exposed

Kossak

Kossak grows noticeably larger than the other three and carries an H5 hardiness rating, a full step up from the shared H3 of Kolibri, Olivia and Korist, worth it if you garden somewhere exposed such as an upland plot, an east-coast garden, or the west coast or islands. It does not currently hold the RHS Award of Garden Merit, but it's still worth growing for its size and hardiness.

Answer these as a quick wizard instead →
Kohlrabi growing guide →Full Kohlrabi varieties comparison →

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