How to grow... Romanesco

Rocket Growing Guides

Cauliflower Romanesco

Like the other Brassicas, romanesco is a really nutritious vegetable and is nice and easy to grow in the garden. It’s quite fun too with its quirky looks – children will enjoy watching it grow.

  • Planting Tips
  • Growing advice
  • Chef's Corner
Choosing a site for growing veg

The right site

Romanesco plants need a sunny site with deep, firm, moisture retentive soil.

growing veg in pots and raised beds

Can be grown in....

Romanesco is best grown in raised beds or a well dug veg patch.

Autumn Winter Large Vegetable Garden

How far apart?

About 30cm apart.

When your plants arrive....

Your baby plants will arrive carefully packed in straw. They may look a little tired from their travels. This is quite normal but, as soon as possible, carefully unpack them all.

Each type of plant will have an identification label to help you spot which they are. Lay them out into their respective plant types (e.g. lettuce, cauliflower, peas). Then, stand them upright, being especially careful with the ones that aren’t in bio pots. The roots may be dry, so give them all a good drink of water by submerging the roots for a few minutes in a container of clean water.

Now you are ready to plant your Rocket Garden. Try to do this within 24 hours of the arrival of your plants.

Looking after your plants....

Romanesco is fairly hassle free. Follow these tips and you’ll do just fine.

romanesco

Feed them

Make sure plants don’t dry out – regular watering is important during dry spells. Use a liquid feed once they’ve started to grow a little, as they need a little extra nitrogen.

romanesco

Protect them

Keep weeds down and cover with a netting to keep birds away

Watch out for....

  • Caterpillars and slugs
  • Cabbage rootfly
  • Pigeons and rabbits
  • Clubroot

They're ready to harvest when....

You’ll be able to see when your romanesco is ready. Use secateurs to cut them from their stalk.

Storage Tips

Harvest them as you want to eat them – they will store in the fridge for a few days, but are much better cooked fresh.

Ways to cook

Romanesco is delicious mixed in with cauliflower cheese.

Recipe Idea

Coming Soon!

Types to try