Kohlrabi Kolibri F1 - Brassica oleracea gongylodes

The 'Kolibri F1' Kohlrabi is a high-quality variety that forms beautiful purple bulbs that do not become fibrous. This Kohlrabi will delight you with its quality and ornamental value. Sowing from March to July for a harvest from June to November.

Once fallen into disuse because it was consumed too much during the war, Kohlrabi is an ancient vegetable gradually reappearing on our plates. And that's a good thing because this somewhat forgotten Kohlrabi is full of qualities in terms of taste and nutrition.

Sometimes known by its German name Kohlrabi or Colrave, the Kohlrabi has the Latin name Brassica oleracea gongylodes and belongs to the large family of Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferae).

Originally from Europe, it is a vegetable plant whose swollen stem forms a ball from 6 to 20 cm (2 to 8in) in diameter, with large leaves arranged in rosettes.

With its unusual appearance, this vegetable is a bit cosmic and offers a delicate flavour, somewhat reminiscent of hazelnut. It can be consumed raw or cooked and is delicious in salads, carpaccio, honey-glazed, or gratin. Kohlrabi leaves are also edible and can be used in soups, like radish leaves.

From a dietary point of view, it is remarkable: it is low in calories, very rich in vitamins C and B3 and contains a lot of fibre and minerals such as calcium.

In the vegetable garden, Kohlrabi cultivation is relatively easy. It thrives in full sun or partial shade, slightly less demanding than most cabbages, but still requires good organic fertilization and regular watering.

NB: This variety is labelled F1 for "F1 hybrid" because it results from the cross-breeding of carefully selected parents to combine their qualities. This results in a variety that can be particularly tasty and early while resistant to certain diseases. Sometimes criticised or wrongly associated with GMOs, F1 hybrid seeds are attractive for their uniformity and resistance. Still, unfortunately, their qualities do not pass on to the next generations: it will, therefore, not be possible to save the seeds for future sowing.

Harvest: it is generally harvested from July to early November (75 days on average after sowing) by simply pulling it out of the ground, depending on needs.

Storage: Kohlrabi can be stored for quite a long time in a cellar or in a cool place and can be kept in the refrigerator for several days. It also freezes well after being blanched for 5 minutes in salted boiling water.

Gardener's tip: To reduce watering, when the plants are well developed, we recommend that you mulch the soil with thin successive layers of grass clippings, if possible, mixed with dead leaves. This protection, which keeps the soil moist, also reduces weed growth.