Cauliflower
Vegetable
Start indoors four weeks before the last frost to late spring. Transplant in 5-6 weeks. Direct seed when temperatures are reliably above 10°C (50°F). Overwintering types are started in July where winters are mild, and transplanted by mid-August. Optimal soil temperature: 10-30°C (50-85°F). Seeds should germinate in 7-10 days.
Cauliflower
How to Grow:
Vegetable
Timing:
Start indoors four weeks before the last frost to late spring. Transplant in 5-6 weeks. Direct seed when temperatures are reliably above 10°C (50°F). Overwintering types are started in July where winters are mild, and transplanted by mid-August. Optimal soil temperature: 10-30°C (50-85°F). Seeds should germinate in 7-10 days.
Starting:
Sow 3-4 seeds 5mm (¼”) deep in each spot you want a plant to grow. Thin to the strongest plant. Space transplants 45-60cm (18-24″) apart in rows 60-90cm (24-36″) apart.
Growing:
Ideal pH: 6.0-6.8.Humus-rich soil amended with composted manure is best. Mix ½ cup of complete organic fertilizer into the soil beneath each transplant. From seedling to harvest, cauliflower must grow steadily to make a large plant and curd. If growth slows, scratch additional fertilizer into the surface of the soil around each plant. Maintain even soil moisture with regular watering. Shade the developing curds from sun by tying up leaves or using newspaper. This is known as “blanching,” and will keep them white. Add 20-25 days to the maturity dates if direct sowing. GerminationDays to maturity: From transplant date.In optimal conditions, at least 80% of seeds should germinate. Usual seed life: 3 years. Per 100′ row: 200 seeds, per acre: 44M seeds.
Harvest:
Once curd forms, check every day and cut when the florets are just beginning to separate. At this point the flavour is at peak quality and the size is maximum.
