Nine Palms Ranch Research Report, 2006

Lead: Joan Kendig

Overview:

The goal of the project was to evaluate several varieties of fall-planted broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower for taste, appearance and productivity. The varieties were chosen for unusual colors or growth habit, and were compared to a standard variety of each kind. They included seven kinds of cauliflower, six of broccoli, and four of cabbage. Six individuals of each variety were planted.

Soil preparation:

Two raised beds, numbered plots 5 and 12, were used. They were cultivated with the small rototiller. As they had been allowed to dry out for some time weeds were not a problem. Osmocote and green sand were added.

Seeding/planting:

Seeds were planted in 4" pots August 23, 2005, and the pots treated with fish emulsion. A few required reseeding on August 30 or September 6. Osmocote added to pots September 6. Growth in the pots was vigorous. Transplanting was carried out between September 23 and October 4, with approximately 2' spacing between plants.

In plot 5, a raised bed running approximately south to north:

1. Broccoli Cima di Rapa (Nichols) a broccoli raab or rapini
2. Broccoli Italian Green Sprouting Calabrese (Heirloom Seeds) a broccoli with repeated sprouts following the main head.
3. Cauliflower Violet Queen (Thompson and Morgan), a purple cauliflower somewhat like a broccoli in head appearance, turns dark blue-green when cooked.
4. Cabbage Salad Delight (Burpee), a red cabbage
5. Cauliflower Veronica (Romanesco type) (Johnny's Seeds)
6. Cauliflower Romanesco precoce (Franchi Seeds, bought at Cosentino's Market); in spite of the name, somewhat later than Veronica
7. Cabbage Grayhound (Thompson and Morgan) green cabbage, conical head
8. Cauliflower Panther (Johnny's Seeds) lime green
9. Cauliflower Cheddar (Johnny's Seeds) orange

In plot 12, a raised bed running approximately west to east:

1. Broccoli Munchkin (Nichols) a compact broccoli
2. Cabbage Red Acre (Heirloom Seeds) red cabbage
3. Broccoli di Cicco (Heirloom Seeds) a commonly available sprouting broccoli
4. Broccoli Early purple sprouting (Heirloom Seeds), in spite of the name far from early (we should have read the label, it said 120 days compared to the 50-60 for other varieties)
5. Cauliflower Clarke (Thompson and Morgan) claimed to be a miniature but was not especially so
6. Cauliflower Fremont (Johnny's Seeds) a standard white self-blanching variety
7. Broccoli Raab (Nichols)
8. Cabbage Copenhagen (Heirloom Seeds) green cabbage, round head
9. Broccoli Spigariello leaf (Nichols) no heads, grown for the leaves, a cut and come again variety, lovely gray-green leaves.

Plot 5, October 7, 2005

Watering:

Planting holes were soaked at transplant time, and irrigation lines laid. Watering times for bed 5 were set for 30 min 3 times a week, bed 12 for 40 min 3 times a week, supplemented by hand watering as necessary. Irrigation was discontinued December 20 following a heavy rain.

Fertilization/pesticides:

No fertilization after initial osmocote. Pesticide applications: BT on bed 12 October 4, bed 5 October 7, both beds October 28. Cabbages treated again November 29; damage from caterpillars pronounced on Copenhagen but much less on the other varieties. Aphids sprayed with water November 18.

Harvesting:

Productivity:

All heading varieties produced one good-sized head per plant except Cheddar, the last head of which was stunted and not worth harvesting. De Cicco and Green Sprouting broccoli in addition produced numerous sprouts after the main head was harvested. The two Raab varieties, Cima di Rapa and Broccoli Raab bolted early, so their productivity was limited; they might do better in a spring planting. Cima in particular took up a lot of space for the little harvest. Early purple sprouting broccoli was anything but; matured very late (we should have read the label on the seed packet) and did not produce much, in addition the plants were huge, 3 1/2 feet high and 2 1/4 feet wide at harvest. Not recommended. Spigariello was a clear winner, long season of cut and come again leaf harvesting.

January 10: Pulling broccoli after harvest

Appearance:

All of the colored cauliflower and the white Fremont were very attractive. Clarke was a good white early on but discolored later. Cabbage Salad Delight (red) was thought to be prettier than Red Acre, and mixed with the green Copenhagen Market made a lovely cole slaw. Broccoli Munchkin turned an ugly brown before harvest was complete. Spigariello was attractive throughout the season, finishing with pretty flowers; an edible ornamental.

Spigariello November 5, ready to harvest

Spigariello in bloom April 11

Taste:

How appraised: harvest was laid out and offered for tasting raw; Nine Palms workers were encouraged to take samples home to try cooked.

Samples of Romanesco precoce, Violet Queen, and Clarke ready to be taken home

The harvest laid out for tasting, January 10

Tasting notes: Cima di Rappa was mostly viewed unfavorably, raw or cooked, leaves bitter and tough. Broccoli raab was better although turned bitter late in the harvest. Spigariello was considered better than either as a leaf broccoli, either raw or cooked. All of the heading or sprouting broccoli except Munchkin were considered good but not particularly memorable. All of the cauliflower were also good except Clarke, which was mushy. Cheddar and Violet Queen got particularly high marks, Violet Queen being exceptionally sweet. Of the two Romanesco varieties precoce had a more complex flavor than Veronica, perhaps because of its longer maturity. All four cabbages rated highly, especially raw.

Summary:

Losers: the Raab broccoli and the early purple sprouting were not worth the space and time, because of the limited harvest. Munchkin and Clarke, the two miniature varieties, were inferior in taste and appearance.

Winners: The colored cauliflowers were surprisingly as good in taste as in appearance. Spigariello was outstanding for flavor cooked and length of harvest. Cabbages and broccoli also recommended except as noted.