Organic Romanesco Cauliflower Seeds

Planting by Zones

Zones 9-10

• This is a cool season plant for Zones 9 and 10. It should be started from seed in the fall and transplanted out. Cauliflower needs a consistent supply of moisture to be happy. Irrigating regularly in Zones 9 and 10 is critical for a happy harvest.

Zones 2-8

• Seeds can be started in summer to be planted out as a fall crop. Make sure to note the days to maturity and guarantee that your crop will mature before a hard freeze. In areas that stay above 32°F, seeds can be started in the fall and transplanted out to overwinter.

Choosing Cauliflower Varieties

• Varieties for southern growers are very different from those of other regions. If you are growing in a warm region, your cauliflower should be heat tolerant. Our varieties are specifically chosen for southern growers. Although they can grow well in northern areas, we focus on qualities that will produce nicely in Zones 9 and 10.

Planting Cauliflower Seeds

• Seeds are best planted in starter pots and transplanted out.
• For fall planting in Zones 9 and 10, start your seeds in a cool environment. This can be indoors, under the shade of a tree, in a cooled greenhouse, or a shade house. Transplants will not thrive in high temperatures. We recommend you find the coolest area of your garden and construct a shade house using our shade cloth. This will keep your transplants healthy until it is cool enough to transplant them out.
• Plant seeds on top of thoroughly moistened high-quality seed starting soil. Cover the seeds with 1/4″ of finely sifted soil.
• Fertilize regularly with an organic liquid fertilizer to ensure happy plants once your seedlings have germinated and have a set of true leaves.
• Transplant out into a full sun location with fertile well-draining soils when plants are about 5-6″ tall. It is a good practice to incorporate compost and a granular fertilizer into the soil before you plant. Cauliflower is a heavy feeder.
• Space plants at least 24″ apart.

Growing Cauliflower

• Growing in warm climates can be difficult. Cauliflower thrives in cool, moist environments. Products like shade cloth and row cover can help your crop to thrive.

Succession Planting Cauliflower

• We strongly suggest that you succession plant at 4-week intervals so that you always have a fresh harvest.

Growing Cauliflower in Containers

• Adequate space is needed for container growing. If you are planting in containers, make sure your container is at least 20″ deep. Keep in mind containers will dry out faster because they have more surface area and less soil to hold onto moisture. Mulch heavily on the top of the soil to help regulate soil moisture.

Harvesting Cauliflower

• Cauliflower heads can be harvested at any desirable size. A sharp knife can be used to cut the main head.

Southern California Pro-tips

• This can be a difficult crop to grow in areas of Zones 9 and 10. Make sure to grow in the cool season. Protect small seedlings from high temperatures and lack of moisture.
• Mulch heavily around your plants to ensure the soil does not dry out or heat up too much.
• During our hottest months of August, September, and October, plants can suffer from the heat. Using shade cloth can help protect the plants from extreme heat.

Companion Flowers/Crops

• Cauliflower looks beautiful interplanted with companion flowers that help with destructive insects. We recommend you interplant with alyssum, nasturtium, and poppies for a beautiful and bountiful garden. Grow Romanesco Cauliflower alongside Snowball Cauliflower for a variety of colors and flavors.

Additional Learning Resources

• New to starting crops from seeds? Please watch our Seed Starting Presentation to learn the basics!
• Learn about growing all our crops on our YouTube page!
• Having pest issues? Check out in-depth information for pests that can be an issue to cauliflower at the UC Integrated Pest Management site.
• Visit our Garden Wisdom Blog for more tips on Growing Cauliflower from seed.