Kohlrabi Azur Star (purple) - Brassica oleracea gongylodes

'Azur Star' Kohlrabi is a mid-early variety that produces beautiful, tasty purple bulbs with tender, non-woody flesh. It is particularly fast-growing and resistant to bolting. Sow from March to July and harvest from June to November.

Kohlrabi, also known as Cabbage turnip or German turnip (Brassica oleracea gongylodes), is an original vegetable belonging to the large Brassicaceae family (ex-Cole family). This biennial plant, grown as an annual, is native to Europe where it was a staple food during World War II. It is recently being rediscovered thanks to its excellent flavour and great nutritional values. It is grown for its edible, bulbous stem which appears at ground level and measures between 6 and 20cm in diameter. It is surrounded by a rosette of large green leaves.

This unusual vegetable has a fine, nutty flavour. It can be eaten both raw and cooked. It is delicious in salads, gratins or glazed with honey. The leaves are also edible and can be added to soups or stews. From a nutritional point of view, it is very healthy, being both low in calories and high in vitamins C and B3, fibre and minerals.

Kohlrabi is an easy vegetable to grow as long as you meet its basic requirements: deep, rich soil, and regular watering. It enjoys sun or half-shade.

Harvesting: Kohlrabi it is generally harvested from July to early November (75 days after sowing on average). Cut off the bulbs at ground level as and when required.

Storage: Kohlrabi can be stored for a fairly long time in a container of moist sand, in a cellar or basement. It will keep for several days in the refrigerator. It also freezes very well after being blanched for 5 minutes in boiling salted water.

Even if the vegetable garden is first and foremost a place for growing great quality veg, it’s always a good idea to leave a bit of room for flowers. Growing flowers alongside your vegetable plants will make your general gardening experience more enjoyable and is a great way to attract pollinators and repel garden pests! Flowers such as Gaillardia, marigolds, Zinnias, Cosmos or nasturtiums can be sown in and around the rows of vegetables. Herbs such as dill can be very useful also. Bear in mind that some companion plants self-seed easily and can be a bit invasive (borage, chives, lemon balm etc.)

NB. Organic seeds (in French "AB" for "Agriculture Biologique") are produced from plants that aren't treated with phytosanitary products (insecticides, weed killers). The seeds do not undergo post-harvest treatment. They carry the AB label and are approved by Ecocert, an independent structure.