Winter cauliflower, varieties for harvesting between December and March
Brassica oleracea
- Exposures
- Sun, Half-shade
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 9b (-3.9°C ≤ T° < -1.1°C)
- Lifecycle
- Biennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Brassicaceae
- Genus
- Brassica
- Species
- Brassica oleracea
Winter is often calm, too calm in the vegetable garden. For impatient gardeners and those who want to harvest fresh vegetables all year round, there's a solution: winter cauliflower(Brassica oleracea). Hardy and frost-resistant, these varieties are planted in spring and harvested between December and March.
How to recognize winter cauliflower(Brassica oleracea)?
Winter cauliflower(Brassica oleracea) is a biennial vegetable. At just 70 cm in height and as wide-spreading, it has a compact, bushy habit.
The thick, ribbed leaves are a dark, waxy green. They form a crown around the head to protect it from cold and pests.
The floral meristem is hidden in the heart of the foliage. This fractal structure is made up of an infinite number of micro-buds. Usually white, the head may be purple or violet.
When the head is not cut off, winter cauliflower flowers. It produces a flowering stem adorned with white or yellow cruciform flowers (with 4 petals).
Which varieties of winter cauliflower to plant in the garden?
- 'Walcheren Winter': very hardy and late, its compact white head can be harvested until May;
- violet de Sicile': round, compact purple apples weighing up to 1.5 kg;
- armetta': with its firm, white head, this small cauliflower with a wingspan of no more than 60 cm is ideal for small spaces.
Is winter cauliflower toxic?
No, cauliflower is not toxic. Its head and foliage are harmless. Quite the contrary, in fact. They are edible, and winter cauliflower is traditionally cooked in gratins, veloutés or thick soups.
Our care tips
Sunlight causes the apple to turn yellow. To keep it white, pinch off two to three leaves above the top when it measures 5 to 8 cm.
Watering
Keep the soil cool and moist, but not soggy.
Water, preferably with rainwater, at the foot of your Brassica oleracea.
Harvest
Cut the top off flush with the soil using a knife. Keeping a ring of leaves around the fruit helps it stay fresh longer winter cauliflower.
Planting
Choose a sunny location. If you live in a region where summers are very hot, prefer semi-shade. Winter cauliflower do not tolerate heat well.
Two weeks before planting, work the soil with a grelinette or spading fork. Decompact and aerate the soil. Add compost or manure to enrich the substrate.
Dig a hole the size of the root ball. Plant your Brassica oleracea plants in a line, at least 50 cm apart. If your soil retains water, form a mound and plant at the top. This will allow excess water to run off more easily.
Water to encourage rooting. You can also mulch to keep the plants cool and prevent weeds from appearing.
Sowing
Once the risk of frost has passed, you can sow your Brassica oleracea seeds.
Sow your Winter cauliflower seeds in a nursery: reservea small space for themin your garden or vegetable patch. You can then transplant them to their final location. This technique saves space.
Dig a furrow about 2 cm deep. If you are planting several rows, leave at least 4 cm between rows.
Plant your sheaths. Space them 4 cm apart. Cover them with one or two centimetres of soil.
Water lightly and protect your seedlings with a plastic tunnel or cloche.
Once the risk of frost has passed, you can sow your Brassica oleracea seeds.
Fill a bowl or cups with potting soil for seedlings and plantations. Moisten the soil.
Plant your seeds, spacing them 4 cm apart and covering them with one to two centimetres of substrate.
Water regularly to keep the soil moist. Place your seedlings away from the cold, in a greenhouse or indoors for example.
Frequently asked questions
What to use cauliflower with in the vegetable garden?
Cauliflower goes well with celery, bush beans, potatoes or tomatoes. However, avoid planting it near turnips or radishes. Cauliflower attracts pests that are particularly harmful to these species. And don't plant your cabbage with other cabbages. Plants in the same family consume the same nutrients and attract the same diseases.
When to harvest cauliflower?
Harvesting takes place between 4 and 7 months after sowing, depending on the variety. Cauliflower is harvested when the head is firm and compact.
Diseases / Threats
Information
- Lifecycle
- Biennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposures
- SunHalf-shade
- Substrates
- Calcareous earthHumus soil
- Planting method
- Open ground
- Category
- Vegetable
- Tags
- ThirstyEdible vegetable
- Origin
- Southern Europe
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 9b (-3.9°C ≤ T° < -1.1°C)
- Leaf colors
- Dark greenLight green
- Flower colors
- WhiteYellow
Discover plants from the same family
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Brassica oleracea
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Brassica oleracea
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Summer cauliflower
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Find out more
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