You have heard that growing cauliflower is not easy, but that is not the case; it has specific requirements to produce full flower heads. Otherwise, they are not much different from broccoli, cabbage, collards, and other cruciferous vegetables. Read on to find out how to plant cauliflower the easy way.
Cauliflower does well in chilly weather conditions. A full-grown cauliflower has edible leaves, a dense flower head, and a stem. The flower head is rich in vitamin B, C, and K. cauliflower is a good fiber source. The cauliflower’s center of interest is the flower head, made of tiny buds or curds you can before they bloom. The cross-like petals in each bud classify cauliflower as a cruciferous veggie. The white flower head cauliflower has been around for many generations, but we have orange, vibrant green, and purple cultivars. The purple curds contain antioxidant anthocyanin, while the orange head varieties are an excellent beta carotene source.
Tips for growing cauliflower
If your area has an average temperature of 60 F for three months, you are in cauliflower territory. Although the rest of us can still grow cauliflower the hard way because it is a half-hardy plant, which means it can withstand a bit of frost. Its leaves may burn up, but the flower head will continue to grow. However, sudden temperature changes may cause the cauliflower to end its lifecycle prematurely, producing an inedible crop. Biennial means a crop that takes two seasons to reach maturity. Cauliflower can mature from 50 to 100 days, so pay attention to the type of seeds you buy and choose the ones that suit your average conditions.
Sowing the seeds
If you are looking for an early summer harvest, start your seeds indoors six weeks before the end of frost season. Do sow your seeds in peat pots 0.25 to 0.5 inches deep. If you plant your seeds this way, you will avoid plucking the seedlings, which sometimes leads to damaged roots. You can use sanitary tools to prevent exposing your germinating crops to diseases. Always keep the soil moist, not soggy. If you plan for a fall harvest, place your seeds directly into the ground approximately three months before the expected end of frost.
Transplanting
When the seedlings are ready for transplant, start to harden them a few days before transplanting if they were indoors, and gradually increase to a whole day. Transplant them to full or partial sunlight areas in your garden. However, there are reservations about full sunlight because it will affect the seedlings in case of an inevitable spike in temperatures. You may want to test your soil nutrient content before transplanting to know what to supplement and what is already in the soil or know the acidity of the soil. You can transplant your crops during cool hours, preferably morning or evening.
Prepare the soil
Following your soil test results, you may want to amend by adding organic compost or lime. Cauliflowers do in well-drained soils, so ensure your soil drains well before transplanting. Do your soil six inches deep and place peat pots about 24 inches apart. Some seed packets indicate fewer inches, but close planting will limit air circulation. Overcrowding may lead to pests and diseases.
Fertilizing
Different theories state different recommendations regarding fertilizers to use. There are some theories against commercial fertilizers, others recommend nitrogen fertilizers, and some suggest phosphorus at planting time. We have reservations about using commercial fertilizers at planting time because they may burn the seedlings’ roots. Otherwise, you may apply around the perimeter to be on the safe side.
Watering
Cauliflower requires water throughout. Increase moisture retention by mounting the hips of soil around each seedling and add mulch around the crop. Always keep the ground cool. You can water deeply once a week using a gentle spray nozzle. The average rain and watering should amount to 2 inches per week. Always to the watering during cool hours like mornings and evenings.
Pests and diseases
Like cabbage relatives, cauliflower suffers the blow of pests and diseases. It is a big challenge for those keen to start farming cauliflowers without experience and knowledge of what pests and diseases to anticipate. The good news is, we can prevent these diseases and problems with agrochemicals. Some of the pests and diseases affecting cauliflower farming include; aphids, cabbage looper, cabbage moth, cabbage root fly, white caterpillar, cabbageworm, whitefly, and more.
How to harvest cauliflower
when the heads are firm and compact, they are ready for harvesting. Cut it off from the main stem but leave a few leaves attached. Leaving a few outer leaves helps protect the head and prolong the quality. You should handle the head carefully because it gets bruises quite quickly. Once you harvest the cauliflower heads, it is advisable to soak in saltwater for about 20 minutes. Soaking in salt water will help expel cabbage worms for you to store heads without worries. You should know how to harvest cauliflower for sale or consumption from the start, as it is essential to understand how to plant cauliflower.
How to grow purple cauliflower
There is no significant difference in how to grow purple cauliflower and the other varieties of cauliflower. Purple cauliflowers get their purple color from anthocyanin antioxidants. Unfortunately, this color goes away when cooked like different varieties.
Conclusion
When selecting the seeds to grow, consider how long the climate will remain right for your cauliflower to mature. When selecting seeds for seasons such as summer harvest, it can be tempting to choose fast-growing options, but folks believe slow-growing cultivars withstand a range of temperatures while retaining the best flavors. Follow every step on how to plant cauliflower for optimum harvest. Ensure quality seeds and observe sanitary practices. Ensure your soil is well-drained and not too acidic. You can order soil tests to ascertain what nutrients lacks in your soil and plant to amend or supplement appropriately. Use agrochemicals to prevent pests and disease infestation. Follow all the tips for growing cauliflower above for a bountiful harvest.
