Purple Cauliflower
Depurple Cauliflower is a nutrient-dense brassica that matures in just 79 days, delivering tight, dense heads about 6-8 inches across ready for harvest. This frost-hardy cultivar thrives in full sun with modest water needs, making it reliable for both spring and fall gardens in milder climates. Rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate, it steams into a creamy low-carb substitute for mashed potatoes or freezes beautifully for season-long eating.
Full Sun
Low
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?in H x ?in W
Perennial
Moderate
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Reaching harvest in under 80 days, Depurple Cauliflower fits neatly into succession plantings for nearly continuous fall-to-spring harvests in mild regions. Its compact 6-8 inch heads stay tight and dense when picked at the right moment, with minimal waste compared to looser varieties. The plant's frost hardiness and low water demands mean less fussing once established, while its nutritional density makes every head count in the kitchen.
Steam the tight florets until tender and mash with butter and cream for a low-carb, low-calorie alternative to traditional mashed potatoes. The whole head freezes well after blanching 1-inch florets in lightly salted water, extending your harvest through winter months. Pickling is another excellent preservation method for keeping Depurple's crisp texture and mild flavor available year-round.
Start seeds indoors at temperatures between 65-75°F for transplanting into the garden after the last spring frost. Time indoor seeding to allow seedlings to mature before transplanting when soil temperatures stabilize.
Transplant into the garden at spacing of 12 inches between plants and 18 inches between rows. This variety's frost hardiness allows flexible transplanting windows; plant for spring harvest 4-6 weeks before the last frost, or for fall harvest in mid to late summer.
Harvest when heads are tight and dense, measuring approximately 6-8 inches in diameter. Cut with a clean, sharp knife and retain some surrounding leaves to protect the head during handling and storage. Remove any heads that have begun to open or show early signs of separation, even if undersized. Avoid waiting for overmature heads, which develop a ricey, coarse appearance as florets begin to separate; discard any that have already progressed to this stage.
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