Gigante

Family: Brassicaceae Brassica

Sink your spoon into Gigante’s velvety, snow-bright curd—dense, finely grained, and richly tender with a clean, sweet brassica flavor.

The heads form a broad, well-domed silhouette that holds its color beautifully through the season, offering a satisfying bite whether you’re enjoying it straight from the garden or turning it into silky, spoonable preparations. Grow Gigante for dependable, show-stopping harvests at about 85 days, where every head feels like a fresh centerpiece waiting to be admired.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 85 DaysHabit: Rosette

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 19th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	85
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	45
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Gigante’s dense, finely grained curd turns into something almost custard-like when cooked gently—so you get a spoonable texture without the cabbagey bite. Roast it hard for a sharp, nutty crust on the outside, then hit it with lemon and black pepper to keep the sweetness and lift the flavor.

Best Uses

hot-steam and spoon—puree for a silky, moundable side
roast at high heat for browned edges while keeping the interior custardy
grate into “steakhouse” gratin-style pieces or quick skillet sizzles

Flavor Profile

velvety, finely grained curd clean, sweet brassica flavor richly tender bite with minimal bitterness

Kitchen Pairings

garlic lemon parmesan brown butter black pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most often affects Brassica oleracea var. botrytis (gigante), and how can I control it?

Watch for clubroot (a soil-borne disease) which causes swollen, distorted roots and leads to sudden wilting in brassicas. Prevent it by using soil from beds that haven’t grown brassicas in the last few years, improving drainage, and avoiding waterlogged spots. If you see affected plants, remove them and don’t replant brassicas in the same area until you’ve corrected soil conditions and used brassica-safe crop rotation.

How often should I water gigante (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) during its main growing phase?

During active head/curd development, keep the soil evenly moist—about 1–1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) of water per week, adjusting for heat and rainfall. Let the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of soil dry slightly between waterings, but don’t allow the soil to fully dry out, which can stall development. Inconsistent moisture can lead to loose curds, so aim for steady watering rather than frequent small splashes.

How do I tell when gigante (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the curd/head reaches a firm, dense size typical for your plants and the surface is tight rather than open. Usually you’ll be ready around 85 days after planting, but confirm by firmness and size at the moment you see the head fully developed. If you notice the head beginning to loosen or separate into small buds, pick immediately to avoid quality loss.