Brassica
Kohlrabi
Brassica oleracea (Gongylodes)
Looks like an alien turnip, tastes like a sweet apple-broccoli hybrid.
Full sun
Regular
Rich
Easy
Yes
Swollen stem
Biennial
Hardy
15 L
25 cm
Herb
Chives
Chives deter cabbage moths and diamondback moths protecting kohlrabi's developing bulbs from major pests.
Leafy green
Lettuce
Lettuce's shallow roots occupy soil space without competing with kohlrabi's deeper root system.
Leafy green
Rocket
Rocket's peppery foliage repels cabbage white butterflies that damage kohlrabi heads.
Situations where this plant is a reliable fit — from someone's kitchen sill to a wind-blown rooftop.
Balcony
A few pots on a flat outdoor perch — some sun, some wind.
Grow bag
Cheap flexible bag, 20–40 L — hungry crops with big roots love these.
Reused bucket
A salvaged 10–20 L bucket with drainage holes — a proper productive pot for very little cost.
Raised bed
A traditional plot or timber-sided bed — deepest root run, widest planting choice.
Where to source
Get growing in United Kingdom
Shop local first
The best plants come from a real nursery, and the best trowel comes from the old-fashioned ironmonger down the road — people who know their stock and can advise. Try local first, both for the plant and the kit. It keeps small growers and small hardware shops alive.
Searching near London
For pots, compost, seed trays, twine and other kit — Amazon has the essentials if the local option isn't right. Not a plant nursery; use the local map above for the plant itself.
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