Cauliflower

Cauliflower All the Year Round

A popular and reliable variety with crisp white heads of tasty, tightly formed curds. The stocky compact stature of the plants ensure the heads are well protected by the large outer leaves. The large heads therefore remain in good condition for several weeks and can be harvested when required.

Growing Advice

Grow your own Cauliflower seeds

Sow Indoors

Sow indoors January to March. Sow thinly 0.5cm deep into trays of compost. Water well and place in warm, light position, away from cold draughts and out of intense, direct sunlight. Keep the compost just moist and be careful not to overwater, the compost should almost dry out before it is watered again. Seedlings should start to appear in approximately 14-28 days. Carefully transplant the seedlings to individual pots when they are large enough to handle and keep moist. When plants are about 10cm tall, acclimatise them to outside conditions, avoiding any late frosts. Place plants outside in a sheltered spot during the day and bring them inside again at night when temperature fall. Do this for a week or two, until the plants have hardened off. Then transplant to a sunny growing position 60cm apart. Plant seedlings deep, right up to the first set of leaves and be sure to firm the young plants in well to prevent the plants from rocking in the wind, which can damage their delicate roots. Keep the soil moist and remove any weeds as they appear.

Sow Outdoors

Sow outdoors March to June and September to October. Cauliflowers can be sown directly outdoors for ease. If possible choose a sunny location for best results. All brassicas like good fertile soil so it’s worth digging in a slow release fertiliser or some organic matter before you start. Sow directly where plants are to grow 1.5cm deep, in shallow trenches 25cm apart. Cover the seeds with fine soil and water well. Early and late sowings will benefit from cloche protection. Keep the soil moist and remove any weeds as they appear. When young plants are 10cm tall transplant them to a final spacing of 60cm apart. Plant seedlings deep, right up to the first set of leaves and be sure to firm the young plants in well to prevent the plants from rocking in the wind, which can damage their delicate roots. Keep the soil moist and remove any weeds as they appear.

Top Tips About Seeds

Once the seed packet has been opened, the seeds can be stored in an airtight container until required for further sowings. Cauliflower seeds will maintain their vigour for a good number of years.

Growing in Containers

Cauliflower is not recommended for patio containers.

Common Problems

Young brassica plants are a real favourite with pigeons and later in the summer caterpillars can also become a problem. If you use a fine enough netting, held well above the plants, this will stop both the pigeons eating the young leaves and the cabbage white butterflies from reaching the plants to lay their eggs. To prevent disease, rotate brassica crops so they are not grown in the same location for at least a couple of years.

Harvest

Harvest from June to October. When the heads begin to develop, snap the large outer leaves of the plant and twist them around so that they cover the heads. This will protect the curds from direct sunlight, keeping them crisp and white.

Ideas for using your cauliflower

Drawing a little soil up around the stems of developing plants will help to prevent wind rock as the plants get larger. Check plants after windy weather and firm them in again if necessary. To prevent premature flowering give plants a really good soaking and a feed a week or so before harvesting begins and don’t let them dry out. If for some reason you miss a harvesting a head and it begins to flower, the tender parts are still good to eat, especially in stir-fries.

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