Vertical Farming with Romanesco on a Tower Garden

Romanesco, commonly known as Romanesque broccoli or Roman cauliflower, is often thought as a crossbreed between a broccoli and a cauliflower.

Contrary to what other people know, Romanesco is its own cultivar within the Brassica vegetable family. It was exclusively grown in Rome in the 16th century, which is where its name originates. It is a close relative of broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower. A unique feature of Romanesco is its fractal patterns that the florets create.

Aside from having a distinct appearance, Romanesco also has a lot of health benefits to offer. It is rich in iron, vitamin C, and folate, which helps fight anemia and improve the reproductive system as well as the immune system. It also has high levels of carotenoids, which is beneficial for the skin.

Romanesco becomes ready for harvest after 12 weeks of growth on the aeroponic towers. One way to know that it is fully mature is when its top spiral flattens out.

All the exterior leaves of the big brassicas, whether it is Romanesco, cabbage, broccoli, or cauliflower, are edible and versatile – they can be enjoyed in different ways such as raw in salads, cooked as a side dish, or steamed to retain their vibrant color and nutrients.

At Agrotonomy, in our Tower Farms, we grow Romanesco on aeroponic towers while saving up to 95% water usage and 90% space compared to those grown in the soil.

Check out these videos to see how we grow Romanesco and other brassicas like cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli on aeroponic towers in less than one square meter of space: