How to Grow Cauliflower
How to grow cauliflower will be the focus of this page. We will be growing the Phoenix cauliflower for our fall garden. We will post photos of our plants as the grow. According to the Lunar Calendar page cauliflower should be planted form the 5th to the 11th of September.
According to the Companion Growing page cauliflower can be planted with any of the vegetables we are planting. CULTURE: In general, cauliflower is grown like cabbage. High fertility, an abundant supply of moisture throughout the season, and "sweet" soil (pH 6.4-7.4) are important. PLANTING: Sow 1/4" apart indoors or in outdoor seedbeds or cold frames from early March through June. If possible, keep soil at least 70°F (21°C) until germination, and 60°F (16°C) thereafter. Transplant small seedlings to 1 1/2-2" plug trays. Transplant outdoors when 4 to 5 weeks old; older plants are generally too checked in growth for good performance! For early spring planting, harden plants carefully by gradually increasing cold before transplanting, 18" between plants and 24-36" between rows. DISEASES and INSECT PESTS, IMPORTANT NOTES: See under "Cabbage." BLANCHING: When small white heads become visible through leaves, gather outer leaves over head and tie with string or large rubber band to preserve white curd color. Although tying is not necessary to grow cauliflower, the practice helps prevent yellowing of the curd due to exposure to sunlight and results in better head quality when curd develops during hot weather. HARVEST: Keep an eye on development, cutting heads when desired size is obtained but before curd becomes loose. STORAGE: Store at 32°F (0°C) and 95% humidity for 2-3 weeks.
09-15-09 Well a day after I planted my seeds we got some heavy rains and cooler temperatures. I felt my seeds should have germinated by now so I had to replant. In the video you will see that I only put one seed in each hole. I though I was being smart and would save time and money. But that is not the case. I should have put at least three to four seeds in each hole. I could have planted a group of seeds together and then when they were three inches tall, transplant. But I do not like to transplant. I like to put it in the ground and leave it. 9-21-09 The re-planted seeds have started coming up. The broccoli, cauliflower, radish and cabbage plants look alike when they start emerging.
The video below shows how to plant the cauliflower seeds in a raised garden bed. I also put a row cover on my raised bed.
Below is a picture of the emerging cauliflower plants.
12-28-09 In the three pictures below is my Phoneix cauliflower. Due to all of the rain and cloudy weather we have had, it has not grow as fast as it should. In the three pictures we see the inner workings of the plants as they start to form heads. The leaves will continue to fold around the head until the head starts to emerge. This action keeps the heads from being bleached by the sun.
For more info on how to grow cauliflower visit growing cauliflower. Thank you for visiting this page on how to grow cauliflower. Go to Home Page from How to Grow Cauliflower.
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