Growing Cauliflower.
Cauliflower is a nutritional powerhouse that surpasses broccoli in vitamin and mineral content. This old standard is gaining popularity as a pizza crust ingredient. Although classic dishes like cauliflower with cheese sauce or cauliflower florets caramelized in garlic and olive are hard to beat. Either way, it belongs in my garden.
Cauliflower requires more ‘know how’, preferring a long cool season. Pick a location that gets a minimum of 6 hours of sun. Light shade during the heat of the day is fine. Starting our heirloom cauliflower seeds in a greenhouse is ideal, but in a warm climate, direct seeding works too. Transplant seedlings 2-4 weeks before last spring frost date. Row covers are optional, but a good idea if your climate is a bit risky. In warm areas, time cauliflower transplanting like cabbage, 8 to 10 weeks before first fall frost date. When planting cauliflower seeds, sow 10 to 12 weeks before fall frost. Space 2′ apart in rows 3′ to 4′ wide.
Cauliflower requires consistent moisture. If allowed to dry out, it may start to bolt and yield loose heads. Monthly feedings and mulching are beneficial. To blanche, tie ends of leaves around heads when they are 2 to 3 inches in diameter. (Some varieties do not require this.) Cauliflower is ready to harvest approximately two weeks after blanching.
Good companion crops are lilliput zinnias, bush beans, onions, celery and radishes. Bad companion crops are peas and strawberries.
Growing Cauliflower.
Cauliflower is a nutritional powerhouse that surpasses broccoli in vitamin and mineral content. This old standard is gaining popularity as a pizza crust ingredient. Although classic dishes like cauliflower with cheese sauce or cauliflower florets caramelized in garlic and olive are hard to beat. Either way, it belongs in my garden.
Cauliflower requires more ‘know how’, preferring a long cool season. Pick a location that gets a minimum of 6 hours of sun. Light shade during the heat of the day is fine. Starting our heirloom cauliflower seeds in a greenhouse is ideal, but in a warm climate, direct seeding works too. Transplant seedlings 2-4 weeks before last spring frost date. Row covers are optional, but a good idea if your climate is a bit risky. In warm areas, time cauliflower transplanting like cabbage, 8 to 10 weeks before first fall frost date. When planting cauliflower seeds, sow 10 to 12 weeks before fall frost. Space 2′ apart in rows 3′ to 4′ wide.
Cauliflower requires consistent moisture. If allowed to dry out, it may start to bolt and yield loose heads. Monthly feedings and mulching are beneficial. To blanche, tie ends of leaves around heads when they are 2 to 3 inches in diameter. (Some varieties do not require this.) Cauliflower is ready to harvest approximately two weeks after blanching.
Good companion crops are lilliput zinnias, bush beans, onions, celery and radishes. Bad companion crops are peas and strawberries.