If you’ve been wondering how to plant cauliflower (Brassica
oleracea var. botrytis), you’ll find that it is not difficult once
you know what it likes. Growing cauliflower can be done alongside other closely
related plants like broccoli,
kale
and turnips.
Many gardeners don’t bother growing cauliflower, as it has
the reputation of being one of the more temperamental crops and with good
reason. Bringing cauliflower to fruition means knowing when is the best time to
plant and when to harvest cauliflower. Read on to learn how to plant
cauliflower and other helpful cauliflower planting tips to make this crop a
success.
Best Time to Plant Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a cool season veggie from the Brassicaceae
family, which includes broccoli, and, in fact, cauliflower is often referred to
as ‘heading broccoli.’ Unlike broccoli, however, which produces multiple side
shoots, cauliflower only produces a single head which means you have one chance
to get it right.
The main thing to remember is that the plant thrives in
temperatures around 60-65 F. (16-18 C.) and no higher than 75 F. (24 C.). Of all
the cole
crops, cauliflower is the most sensitive to temperature. When temperatures
exceed 75 F., the plants have a tendency to button
or bolt.
The best time to plant most varieties of cauliflower is in
the spring so they grow and produce their flower heads before summer’s hot
temperatures ramp up. Other varieties are suited for mid-summer planting for a
fall harvest. A good fall recommendation is its pointy, green Romanesco
cousin.
How to Plant Cauliflower
For spring sown cauliflower, start seed indoors in April.
For fall crops, start seed in July, either sown indoors or direct sown in the
garden. Do not transplant any earlier than 2-3 weeks prior to the average frost-free
date for your area. This can be rather tricky in that it is important to start
cauliflower early enough so it matures before the heat arrives but not so early
that cold spring temps damage the plants.
Sow seeds ¼ inch (6 mm.) deep in peat pots or in furrows in well-draining potting soil. Once the seeds have germinated, continue to grow them in an area of direct sun or under grow lights and maintain a temperature of 60 F. (16 C.). Keep the seedlings moist.
Transplant the plants 2 feet (.5 m.) apart in rows that are
30-36 inches (76-91 cm.) apart.
Cauliflower Planting Tips
Early maturing varieties are more susceptible to buttoning
than later cultivars.
Keep the plants moist but not soggy. Mulch around young
plants to help retard weeds and retain moisture.
Harden
off seedlings for 5 days to a week before transplanting outside by setting
them in the shade and then gradually exposing them to longer periods of sun. Transplant
on a cool, cloudy day or late in the afternoon to avoid stressing the plants.
Fertilize at transplanting with a liquid fertilizer
according to the manufacturer’s instructions and again when the plants are
established, side dressing with nitrogen rich compost.
White cauliflower should
be blanched, while green, orange and purple cultivars need sun to develop
their colors. When the head is golf to tennis ball size, tie the outer leaves
loosely over the developing head with a soft cloth or nylon. This will protect
it from sunscald and keep it from turning yellow.
When to Harvest Cauliflower
Cauliflower
is ready to harvest a week or two after blanching, or covering the heads.
Check the heads every couple of days. Harvest when the heads are 6 plus inches
(15+ cm.) across but before the flower parts begin to separate.
Cut the cauliflower from the plant with a large knife,
leaving at least one set of leaves to protect the head.
If you’ve been wondering how to plant cauliflower (Brassica
oleracea var. botrytis), you’ll find that it is not difficult once
you know what it likes. Growing cauliflower can be done alongside other closely
related plants like broccoli,
kale
and turnips.
Many gardeners don’t bother growing cauliflower, as it has
the reputation of being one of the more temperamental crops and with good
reason. Bringing cauliflower to fruition means knowing when is the best time to
plant and when to harvest cauliflower. Read on to learn how to plant
cauliflower and other helpful cauliflower planting tips to make this crop a
success.
Best Time to Plant Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a cool season veggie from the Brassicaceae
family, which includes broccoli, and, in fact, cauliflower is often referred to
as ‘heading broccoli.’ Unlike broccoli, however, which produces multiple side
shoots, cauliflower only produces a single head which means you have one chance
to get it right.
The main thing to remember is that the plant thrives in
temperatures around 60-65 F. (16-18 C.) and no higher than 75 F. (24 C.). Of all
the cole
crops, cauliflower is the most sensitive to temperature. When temperatures
exceed 75 F., the plants have a tendency to button
or bolt.
The best time to plant most varieties of cauliflower is in
the spring so they grow and produce their flower heads before summer’s hot
temperatures ramp up. Other varieties are suited for mid-summer planting for a
fall harvest. A good fall recommendation is its pointy, green Romanesco
cousin.
How to Plant Cauliflower
For spring sown cauliflower, start seed indoors in April.
For fall crops, start seed in July, either sown indoors or direct sown in the
garden. Do not transplant any earlier than 2-3 weeks prior to the average frost-free
date for your area. This can be rather tricky in that it is important to start
cauliflower early enough so it matures before the heat arrives but not so early
that cold spring temps damage the plants.
Sow seeds ¼ inch (6 mm.) deep in peat pots or in furrows in well-draining potting soil. Once the seeds have germinated, continue to grow them in an area of direct sun or under grow lights and maintain a temperature of 60 F. (16 C.). Keep the seedlings moist.
Transplant the plants 2 feet (.5 m.) apart in rows that are
30-36 inches (76-91 cm.) apart.
Cauliflower Planting Tips
Early maturing varieties are more susceptible to buttoning
than later cultivars.
Keep the plants moist but not soggy. Mulch around young
plants to help retard weeds and retain moisture.
Harden
off seedlings for 5 days to a week before transplanting outside by setting
them in the shade and then gradually exposing them to longer periods of sun. Transplant
on a cool, cloudy day or late in the afternoon to avoid stressing the plants.
Fertilize at transplanting with a liquid fertilizer
according to the manufacturer’s instructions and again when the plants are
established, side dressing with nitrogen rich compost.
White cauliflower should
be blanched, while green, orange and purple cultivars need sun to develop
their colors. When the head is golf to tennis ball size, tie the outer leaves
loosely over the developing head with a soft cloth or nylon. This will protect
it from sunscald and keep it from turning yellow.
When to Harvest Cauliflower
Cauliflower
is ready to harvest a week or two after blanching, or covering the heads.
Check the heads every couple of days. Harvest when the heads are 6 plus inches
(15+ cm.) across but before the flower parts begin to separate.
Cut the cauliflower from the plant with a large knife,
leaving at least one set of leaves to protect the head.