Walcheren Winter

SKU: CF349
Densely packed heads are 10-15cm (4-6") in diameter on large plants and will withstand frost from -12 to -19°C (16 to -5°F) depending on wind and snow cover. Read More

Exposure Full sun

Matures 300 days

Season Summer-Winter

Seed type OP ?

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Overwintering
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Walcheren Winter

Product Details

This overwintering cauliflower was a big hit in our trials. The densely packed heads are 10-15cm (4-6") in diameter on large plants and will withstand frost from -12 to -19°C (16 to -5°F) depending on wind and snow cover. Walcheren Winter does not start curd formation until after the winter frosts so expect to harvest in late winter to early spring. Timing is critical: Aim to grow a plant about 15cm (6") tall by first fall frost. Start in May through June indoors and transplant by mid-August into well-drained soil in a spot protected from wind. If seeding outdoors in a nursery bed, plant a little earlier. Space plants at 60 x 75cm (24 x 30"). In spring when they start to leaf out, sprinkle a balanced organic fertilizer around the base of each plant.

Matures in 300 days. (Open-pollinated seeds)

Quick Facts:

    • Self-covering heads
    • Dense with tight curds
    • Overwintering type
    • Late winter or early spring harvest

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Walcheren Winter

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All About Walcheren Winter

Latin

Latin
Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
Family: Brassicaceae

Difficulty

Difficulty
Moderately difficult

Season & Zone

Season & Zone
Season: Cool season
Exposure: Full-sun
Zone: Overwintering types are only hardy down to -12 to -19°C (16 to -5°F).

Timing

Timing
Start indoors four weeks before the last frost to late spring. Transplant in 5-6 weeks. Direct seed when temperatures are reliably above 10°C (50°F). Overwintering types are started in July where winters are mild, and transplanted by August 15th. Optimal soil temperature: 10-30°C (50-85°F). Seeds should germinate in 7-10 days.

Starting

Starting
Sow 3-4 seeds 5mm (¼”) deep in each spot you want a plant to grow. Thin to the strongest plant. Space transplants 45-60cm (18-24″) apart in rows 60-90cm (24-36″) apart.

Days to Maturity

Days to Maturity
From transplant date.

Growing

Growing
Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8. Humus-rich soil amended with composted manure is best. Mix ½ cup of complete organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each transplant. From seedling to harvest, cauliflower must grow steadily to make a large plant and curd. If growth slows, scratch additional fertilizer into the surface of the soil around each plant. Maintain even soil moisture with regular watering. Shade the developing curds from sun by tying up leaves or using newspaper. This is known as “blanching,” and will keep them white. Add 20-25 days to the maturity dates if direct sowing.

Harvest

Harvest
Once curd forms, check every day and cut when the florets are just beginning to separate. At this point the flavour is at peak quality and the size is maximum.

Seed Info

Seed Info
In optimal conditions, at least 80% of seeds should germinate. Usual seed life: 3 years. Per 100′ row: 200 seeds, per acre: 44M seeds.

Diseases & Pests

Diseases & Pests
Slugs and snails – Slugs are attracted to beer, so place a little beer in a cup dug into the ground. Sprinkle broken eggshells around plants to deter slugs and snails.
Flea beetles – Use row covers to help protect plants from early damage. Put in place at planting and remove before temperatures get too hot in midsummer. Control weeds.
Cabbage root maggot – White maggots (larvae) attack all plants of the cabbage family. Larvae tunnel in and feed on roots of plants. Damage causes wilting early on, death of plants a little later on.
Cabbage aphids – A hard stream of water can be used to remove aphids from plants. Wash off with water occasionally as needed early in the day. Check for evidence of natural enemies such as gray-brown or bloated parasitized aphids and the presence of alligator-like larvae of lady beetles and lacewings.
Cabbageworms – Hand-pick and destroy. Row covers may be useful on small plantings to help protect plants from early damage. Put in place at planting and remove before temperatures get too hot in midsummer.
To help reduce disease, do not plant cauliflower or other Brassicas in the same location more than once every three or four years.

Companion Planting

Companion Planting
All Brassicas benefit from chamomile, dill, mint, rosemary, and sage. Avoid planting near eggplants, peppers, potatoes, or tomatoes.

More on Companion Planting.

How to Grow Cauliflower

Step 1

Timing

Start indoors four weeks before the last frost to late spring. Transplant in 5-6 weeks. Direct seed when temperatures are reliably above 10°C (50°F). Overwintering types are started in July where winters are mild, and transplanted by mid-August. Optimal soil temperature: 10-30°C (50-85°F). Seeds should germinate in 7-10 days.

Step 2

Starting

Sow 3-4 seeds 5mm (¼”) deep in each spot you want a plant to grow. Thin to the strongest plant. Space transplants 45-60cm (18-24″) apart in rows 60-90cm (24-36″) apart.

Step 3

Growing

Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8.

Humus-rich soil amended with composted manure is best. Mix ½ cup of complete organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each transplant. From seedling to harvest, cauliflower must grow steadily to make a large plant and curd. If growth slows, scratch additional fertilizer into the surface of the soil around each plant. Maintain even soil moisture with regular watering. Shade the developing curds from sun by tying up leaves or using newspaper. This is known as “blanching,” and will keep them white. Add 20-25 days to the maturity dates if direct sowing.

Step 4

Germination

Days to maturity: From transplant date.

In optimal conditions, at least 80% of seeds should germinate. Usual seed life: 3 years. Per 100′ row: 200 seeds, per acre: 44M seeds.

Step 5

Harvest

Once curd forms, check every day and cut when the florets are just beginning to separate. At this point the flavour is at peak quality and the size is maximum.

Tips

Diseases & Pests

Slugs and snails – Sprinkle broken eggshells around plants to deter.

Cabbage aphids – A hard stream of water can be used to remove aphids from plants early in the day.

Cabbage root maggot – White maggot larvae feed on roots of plants. Damage causes wilting early on, and the death of plants later on.

Flea Beetles – Use row covers to help protect plants from early damage. Put in place at planting and remove before temperatures get too hot in midsummer. Control weeds.

Cabbageworms – Hand-pick and destroy. Row covers may be useful on small plantings to help protect plants from early damage.

Companion Planting

All Brassicas benefit from chamomile, dill, mint, rosemary, and sage. Avoid planting near eggplants, peppers, potatoes, or tomatoes.

Customer Reviews & Questions