CAULIFLOWER - DI SICILIA VIOLETTO

  Organic Cauliflower DI SICILIA VIOLETTO 

             

Heirloom  variety from Sicily, DI SICILIA VIOLETTO cauliflower presents a medium to large head, ranging from 15 to 30 centimetres in diameter, occasionally surrounded by green leaves with a thick, fibrous midrib. The tightly packed, branching florets forming the heads are firm and slightly crumbly, displaying a captivating colour spectrum from lavender and violet to dark purple. Beneath the surface, the stems and core lack the purple hues, showcasing a crisp and dense consistency in white to cream-colored shades. This unique cauliflower variety exudes a light, grassy scent and boasts a mild, sweet, and nutty flavour, distinguishing itself from other cauliflower varieties by its absence of the typical bitterness. Every part of the plant, including stems, heads, and leaves, is edible. When cooked, the heads develop a soft, chewy, and tender texture, revealing enhanced neutral and nutty nuances.

PLANTING & GROWING

Soaking needs to be done at least a few hours before planting, and preferably overnight. To prevent damping off when starting seeds indoors, it’s essential that you disinfect all of your pots, plastic grow trays, seed cells, and seedling tray covers before you reuse them.  

Biennial grown as an annual. Can be set closer together than other types and can be sown October for a June harvest or February-April for harvesting late-June to September. 

Cauliflower prefers well-drained, fertile soil high in organic matter, pH 6.0 to 7.5. Can tolerate slightly alkaline soil. Needs plentiful, consistent moisture. 

Sow thinly, 2cm (¾in) deep in a seedbed. Final rows should be 15cm (6in) apart for mini caulis or around 60cm (24in) for larger cultivars. Thin the seedlings to a final spacing of 15cm (6in) apart for mini caulis or 60cm (24in) for larger cultivars. Space summer and autumn cropping types 60cm (2ft) apart and winter cultivars around 75cm (2.5ft) apart; spacing  of 30-45cm (12-18in) apart. 

Harvest before the flower sections begin to separate. The head should be compact, firm, white and fairly smooth. About 75-90 days to maturity 

Plants have shallow root systems. Avoid even shallow cultivation. Mulch to protect roots, reduce weed competition and conserve moisture. Grow in the brassica section of your rotation. 

Cauliflower grows slowly and takes up a lot of garden space; most growth is more than 6 to 8 inches off the ground. You can underplant fast-growing crops like radishes, beets, and leaf lettuce in that space.  Beans, celery, and onions are all excellent choices when companion planting cauliflower.

Avoid planting close to  tomatoes, peas, corn, pumpkin, cucumber, and various squash