Start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, plant out 4 weeks before frost. For fall harvest, transplant 16 weeks before first frost for storage types, 13 weeks for fresh types, without additional protection. In a hoophouse, you can plant 2-3 weeks later. Direct sow when daytime soil temperatures warm to 75˚F. Cool weather crop, optimally brown between 60–70˚F. For mild winters where tamps are rarely below 32˚F, transplant September to February. Drought sensitive, mature heads are vulnerable to splitting under stress from rain following a dry spell, keep moisture even. Mature when the tight head leaf begins to fold back on itself. Soil pH 6–7.5. Hardiness zones 5-9. Biennial.
Days from maturity calculated from the date of seeding. Average 7,000 seeds per ounce. Average 29M seeds per acre. Federal germination standard: 75%. Usual seed life: 4 years.
Planting Depth
1/4–1/2”Soil Temp. Germ.
50-75˚FDays to Germ.
10-15Plant Spacing
12–18”Row Spacing
18–36”Days To Maturity
100Full Sun,
Moist Well Drained Soil