Waltham 29

Family: Brassicaceae Brassica

Fragrant, cool-sweet florets arrive in a steady wave—Waltham 29 forms a dense, medium-to-large head with a deep blue-green cast and a tightly buttoned texture that feels crisp and substantial in the garden.

Expect tender side shoots to follow the main harvest, extending the season with fresh, leafy flavor that shines in stir-fries, steaming, and quick sautés, or as a vibrant base for hearty soups and gratins. Grow Waltham 29 for reliable performance and a satisfying, garden-to-table abundance that keeps on coming through the cooler weeks.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 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 9th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
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

Waltham 29’s dense, tightly buttoned heads keep their structure—steam it briefly or roast hot and it won’t collapse into mush. The cool-sweet brassica flavor loves fatty, salty partners (butter/cheese/anchovy) and sharp lift (lemon) for a clean, crunchy bite.

Best Uses

steam-then-dress florets so they stay crisp under a squeeze of lemon or a slick of butter
quick sauté or hot wok toss for a char-kissed exterior and tender centers
broccoli cheddar–style gratin/gratin-style bake where the florets hold shape
broth-forward soups where the florets are added late for a springy texture

Flavor Profile

cool-sweet, vegetal brassica snap tightly buttoned florets with a crisp bite savory, lightly nutty finish when steamed or roasted

Kitchen Pairings

lemon butter olive oil Parmesan cheddar anchovy

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common broccoli pest or disease for Brassica oleracea var. italica, and how do I treat it?

Black rot (Xanthomonas) often starts as V-shaped yellowing at leaf edges and can spread through the plants, especially in warm, wet weather. Remove and discard infected heads/leaves below the damage, avoid overhead irrigation, and sanitize tools; if you’ve had black rot repeatedly, start with new transplants in clean beds. For pests, watch for cabbage worms (importantly the larvae of cabbage moths); hand-pick early and use a floating row cover to prevent egg laying.

How often should I water Waltham 29 during active head formation?

During the main growth and head-filling phase (roughly from when heads form until harvest), keep the soil consistently evenly moist—about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) of water per week total from rain plus irrigation. Water deeply so moisture reaches the root zone, then let the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of soil dry slightly before watering again to reduce disease pressure.

How can I tell when Waltham 29 is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the central head is fully formed and the individual flower buds are still tightly closed (green to dark green), before they loosen or begin to yellow. If the head is starting to separate into visible, loosening buds, it’s already past prime. Cut the main head with 5–7 inches (12–18 cm) of stem; this Brassica oleracea var. italica type often produces smaller side shoots afterward.