Romanesco is a beautiful lime-green, whorled head with structural cone-shaped florets! Romanesco is a stunning and unique vegetable that combines the flavors of broccoli and cauliflower with its own distinct nutty undertones. Its mesmerizing spiral pattern, formed by naturally occurring Fibonacci sequences, makes it as much a visual masterpiece as it is a culinary delight. This Italian cross between a broccoli and cauliflower has been traced all the way back to 16th century Rome. The 5-6-inch heads catch the eye of gourmet chefs for their crunchy texture and delicate, nutty flavor. Romanesco’s versatility shines in a variety of dishes, from roasting and steaming to blending into soups or adding raw to salads for a crunchy twist. This vibrant green beauty is not only packed with vitamins C and K but also rich in antioxidants and fiber, making it a nutritious addition to your meals. Also Known As: Romanesco Broccoli, Roman Cauliflower, Broccolo Romanesco, Romanesco Cabbage, Romanesque Broccoli, Green Spiral Cauliflower, Broccoflower, Chartreuse Cauliflower, Roman Flower, Fibonacci Cauliflower. Plant Name: Cauliflower, Romanesco Latin Name: Brassica oleracea var. botrytis Days to Germinate: 7-14 Days to Harvest: 85 Plant Height: 12 - 30 Inches Spread: 18 -24 Inches Growth Habit: Upright USDA Zones: 2-11 Lifespan: Annual Brand: TomorrowSeeds Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial Shade Pollination: Heirloom, Open-Pollinated GMO: No Fungicide-Treated Seeds*: No Seeds Packed For**: 2026 *Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds. **Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates. Planting Instructions: Soil Preparation: Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots. Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth. Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 2 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage. Planting: Romanesco grows best in cool temperatures (60F-70F). Starting Indoors: For an earlier harvest, you may optionally start planting indoors in containers 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location 2-4 weeks before the last average frost date in Spring. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the holes, burying roots in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting. Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors, plant in spring when the soil warms to at least 60F. For fall crops, start indoors in late summer or direct sow seeds outdoors 8-10 weeks before the first frost date. To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 18-24 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole. If choosing to thin to the strongest plant, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting. Planting Depth: 1/4 inch Within-Row Spacing: 18-24 inches Between-Row Spacing: 2-3 feet Care During the Season: Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils. Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots. Fertilizing: Once seedlings are established, 3-4 weeks after planting, you may optionally apply a high-nitrogen fertilizer to support leaf growth, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Optionally, apply again, this time using a low-nitrogen fertilizer once cauliflower begins to form its head. Water plants after fertilizing. Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions. Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions. Harvesting: Romanesco cauliflower is ready to harvest when the heads (curds) are compact, firm, and have reached about 8 inches in diameter. Harvest before the curds begin to separate or discolor, as this indicates overripeness. To harvest, use a sharp knife to cut the head off at the base, leaving a few outer leaves attached for protection.
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