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How to Grow Cauliflower
Index
- Sowing Instructions
- How to Transplant
- Crop Maintenance
- How to Harvest
- Storage
- Pests & Diseases
Sowing Instructions
- Sowing Time: Sow any time of year
- Can sow in spring (March to May) for a summer harvest
- Can sow in late summer (August / September) for a winter harvest
- Can sow early January to February Indoors under glass
- Stagger sowing times to allow for a continued harvest
- Sowing Location: Indoor grown seeds can be sown in 9cm pots
- Using potting compost, fill pot & soak
- Sow 3 seeds per pot & thin once seedlings emerge
How to Transplant
- Transplant seedlings once they have developed 4 or 5 true leaves
- True leaves are leaves which develop after seedling's seed leaves
- Position in rows 45cm apart
- You can plant seedlings close together but later thin to 45cm apart
- Do not plant too deeply or overcrowd cauliflower
- Soil: Cauliflower grows best in partial shade, but happy in full sun also
- Firm, fertile and free draining soil is ideal
- Dig over the soil in autumn removing any stones and weeds while working in well rotted manure or compost
- Add lime if soil is too acidic, ideal ph between 6.5 to 7.5
Crop Maintenance
- Keep watered to ensure continuous growth
- As the plants grow, earth up soil around the plants stems to support plants & prevent wind damage
Harvesting
- Water well the week before harvest
- Harvest when the flower shoots are firm and well formed
- Cut close to ground level with a sharp knife
Storage
- Cauliflower can be stored long term in a freezer
- Simply boil for 3 minutes, place in ice water, drain and put into freezer containers
Pests & Diseases
- Pests: Cabbage greenflies
- Damage: Attacks young plants
- Good idea to plant celery nearby to repel cabbage butterfly
- Other pests and diseases include caterpillars, pigeons, snails & slugs
