Start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, plant out 2 weeks before frost. For fall harvest, transplant 12 weeks before first frost, without additional protection. In a hoophouse, you can plant 2-3 weeks later. Heads will not develop in hot dry weather. Heat stress during head formation can cause buttoning, failure of the head to properly size up. Seedlings are frost hardy but mature heads are frost tender. Harvest while curds are still tight, checking every 2–3 days. Cover developing heads or tie leaves together to shade from sunlight for blanching effect. Self-blanching varieties have tight leaf curl round head. Cool immediately after harvest. Soil pH 6.0-7.5. Hardiness zones 8. Biennial.
Days from maturity calculated from the date of seeding. Average 6,000–9,000 seeds per ounce. Average 29M seeds per acre. Federal germination standard: 75%. Usual seed life: 3–5 years. Isolation distance for seed saving: 1 mile.
Planting Depth
1/4–1/2”Soil Temp. Germ.
65–75˚FDays to Germ.
5–7Plant Spacing
18–26”Row Spacing
24–36”Days To Maturity
70Full Sun,
Moist Well Drained