Giant cauliflower from Löwenberg: a vegetable that inspires!

Giant cauliflower from Löwenberg: a vegetable that inspires!

Löwenberg, Deutschland - in Löwenberg, where the old secrecy of the GDR times are still alive, Anke Kraatz recently produced a true “vegetable cup” from her father Lothar Schoof's garden. The impressive kohlrabi weighed 2.7 kilograms, measure 16 centimeters in height and enjoyed a width of 18 centimeters. Hendrik, the grandson of Lothar, could hardly hold back and kept the giant cauliflower triumphantly up.

a passionate gardener

Lothar Schoof, at the tender age of 73, is a passionate gardener with an impressive garden of 2800 square meters, on which he not only cultivates kohlrabi, but also salad, radishes, cucumbers and many other plants. "I pull everything in the greenhouse myself," he explains proudly. In spring he mixes horse fertilizers into the ground to give his plants the best.

It is particularly noticeable that Schoof does not use any chemistry. Instead, traditional home remedies work wonders, such as the nettle crash, which is used against aphids. This makes him a flagship figure for sustainable cultivation, which also conveys practical experience in the garden for his grandson.

The Kohlrabi in detail

kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea var. Gongylodes) has found its place in Europe since the 16th century and is very popular due to its spicy aroma and nutrient density. Kohlrabi only contains 28 kcal per 100 g, has little fat and is full of vitamins such as vitamin C and B6 as well as minerals such as potassium and calcium. So the vegetables are not only tasty, but also healthy and versatile - whether raw in salads or cooked in soups.

A crucial point in the cultivation is the location: Kohlrabi needs a sunny, warm and protected place with humus -rich soil. A pH value between 6.0 and 7.0 is ideal. "Planting works wonderfully as long as the soil is well prepared," says Schoof, adding that a bed preparation should be prepared in autumn in order to let the ground rest during the winter. After sowing that happens between the end of March and the beginning of May, the earth should be kept evenly moist so that the plants can thrive.

Kohlrabi and neighbors

Not to be underestimated is the neighborhood in the garden: Kohlrabi gets on well with cucumbers, beans and peas, while other cabbage species are not the best friends. Lothar Schoof practices mixed culture in his garden and thus ensures harmonious growth in its plants.

At the end of the day it turns out that the cultivation of Kohlrabi is anything but boring. In fact, it is an art that requires both patience and a good hand. Whether in your own garden or on the plate, the joy of fresh, homemade vegetables can always be felt by the Kraatz family. And who knows, maybe it will be the next giant cauliflower who is kept up as a proud trophy.

for everyone who wants to try it out: By the way, a harvest from Kohlrabi can be done after 7 to 20 weeks after setting - an excellent investment in health!