When to Plant Kohlrabi in Melbourne, Cool Temperate Guide

Sow July to April. Right now in September you can sow.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Kohlrabi guide is written for the Cool Temperate zone, which takes in Melbourne, Hobart and Geelong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Kohlrabi

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Kohlrabi is technically not a root vegetable. The edible part is a swollen stem that forms above ground. Fast-growing (55-70 days), mild-flavoured, and versatile in the kitchen, kohlrabi is an underused gem in Australian gardens. It thrives in cool weather, handles light frost, and is one of the best brassicas for beginners. Both the bulb and leaves are edible.

Planting Calendar for Cool Temperate

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D T - - S S/T S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

Want a nudge when it is Kohlrabi sowing time in Melbourne?

One email a week with what is worth planting in the Cool Temperate zone right now, Kohlrabi included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.

Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 13.1°C (optimal range: 10–30°C) ✓ Ready to plant

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Melbourne), not a live sensor.

How to Grow Kohlrabi in Cool Temperate Australia

When to Plant

August to April. Long growing season. Spring, summer, and autumn all work. Avoid mid-winter sowing (too cold for germination).

Soil
Rich, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. Prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Dig in compost and well-rotted manure before planting. Add lime to acidic soils (critical for preventing clubroot).
pH Range
6.5-7.5
Sunlight
Full sun (6+ hours). Tolerates light shade, especially in warmer zones where afternoon shade prevents bolting.
Spacing
20cm apart, 35cm between rows
Watering
Consistent, even moisture throughout growth. Water deeply 2-3 times per week. Inconsistent watering causes the stem bulb to become woody and split. Drip irrigation preferred.

Companion plants: Beetroot, Celery, Cucumber, Dill, Lettuce, Onion

Avoid planting near: Strawberry, Tomato, Runner Bean

Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Kohlrabi

Recommended Varieties

  • White Vienna
  • Purple Vienna
  • Kolibri F1
  • Superschmelz (giant variety, up to 4kg)

Key Challenges

  • Slugs in wet weather
  • Caterpillars
  • Club root

Pro Tips

  • Melbourne's cool climate is ideal for kohlrabi
  • Superschmelz is a novelty giant variety that stays tender even at 4kg
  • Can be sown almost year-round except June-July

Harvesting Kohlrabi

When ready: Stem bulb is 6-8cm diameter (tennis ball size) for standard varieties. Bulb should feel firm and smooth. Harvest promptly. Overgrown bulbs (>10cm for standard varieties) become woody and fibrous. Exception: Superschmelz stays tender up to 20cm.

How to harvest: Cut stem just below the bulb with a sharp knife, or pull the entire plant. Trim off leaves (save for cooking, they are edible). Trim the root.

Common Kohlrabi Pests in Cool Temperate Zones

Fungal Soft Rot, risk: LOW (score: 30/100)

Organic prevention: Net crops immediately after planting or sowing. Interplant with strong-scented herbs. Inspect leaf undersides for eggs every few days.

View all pest alerts →

Where to next

What kohlrabi costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the cool temperate zone this September: Ginger, Sweet Corn, Chilli Peppers and Snow Peas.

The pest most likely to find your kohlrabi: Cabbage White Butterfly.

Get the Full Interactive Guide

Track your garden, get real-time pest alerts, and plan around your zone's weather.

Open the planting dashboard Join Garden Buddy

Common Questions About Kohlrabi

When do you plant kohlrabi in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does kohlrabi grow all year round in Melbourne?

No. In the Cool Temperate zone the planting months are Jan to Apr, Jul to Dec. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Cool Temperate zone, Melbourne is its reference city.