Thursday, May 28, 2015

Growing Cauliflower from Seed to Harvest

Although the Cauliflower is part of the Cabbage family, Cauliflower usually require more attention.  Cauliflower takes up quite a bit of space in the garden.
Purple of Sicily Cauliflower


Cauliflowers are a cool weather crop. Hot temperatures can reduce head development. In summer you can cover the head with the plants leaves.

When growing Cauliflower, the soil should be prepared well in advance, especially if you are enriching the soil with organic matter. If you are sowing the cabbage seeds in spring, prepare the soil in autumn by digging in plenty of well-rotted compost or manure.  The soil should have been dug deep. Cauliflower grows well in loamy, well drained soils.

Sow the seeds at 1/4-1/2 inch deep.  About 6 weeks after sowing the seedlings they should be ready to harden off before planting out. Harden the seedlings off a week before planting out by gradually increasing the amount of time the plants are left outside and the amount of sun the plants receive.
 
Snowball Self-Blanching Cauliflower


Companions for Cauliflower
Peas, beans, celery, oregano
(Peas and beans help fix nitrogen to supply to cauliflowers)


Do not plant cauliflower around Nasturtium, potato, strawberry and tomatoes  

My favorite cauliflower recipe:


"In the Garden" Recipes

DIATOMACEOUS EARTH (DE)

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marys-Heirloom-Seeds/229833070442449

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2 comments:

D Martinez said...

I miss gardening. I decided not to do it this year because I thought we might move next year. I didn't want to start something and then have to leave all my hard work behind. Thank you for the information, I enjoy reading and getting tips from people who garden.

Kelly ~ Our Everyday Harvest said...

I love cauliflower! I am going to have to try your buffalo recipe...sounds yummy!

So happy to have you link up at the May Everyday Friends Monthly Blog and Social Media Hop ! Have a great weekend! ~Kelly, Our Everyday Harvest