A cool-season relative of cabbage and broccoli, cauliflower thrives in fall and early spring gardens. Cauliflower produces creamy white, mild-tasting heads when properly planted and cared for. Although most varieties are gown for their white heads, specialty varieties for home gardens produce more colorful vegetables, including purple and green heads. Summer heat ends the productive life of the cauliflower, so it's best grown when soil temperatures are below 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sow cauliflower seeds in a well-drained, full-sun garden bed in spring when the soil temperature is above 45 degrees Fahrenheit or in late summer or early fall when the soil is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant seeds 1/2 inch deep and space the seeds three inches apart, in rows set 24 inches apart.
Water the bed as necessary so the soil remains moist. Seeds typically germinate within 14 days.
Thin the seedlings after they sprout so the remaining plants are spaced 15 to 24 inches apart in the row.
Water the cauliflower deeply once or twice weekly, supplying 1 to 2 inches of moisture each week. Cauliflower requires moist soil and won't grow if the soil is allowed to dry out in the root zone.
Fertilize the cauliflower with aged compost when it begins forming heads. Spread the compost over the soil between the plant rows. Water thoroughly so the nutrients from the compost can seep into the root zones.
Weed the bed regularly during the garden season. Pull the weeds when they are young, before the roots have a chance to establish. A 2-inch layer of organic mulch, such as straw, further helps suppress weeds.
Blanch the cauliflower heads when they reach the size of an egg if you prefer white cauliflower. Pull the inner leaves over the head and secure them with a rubber band. The leaves protect the heads from sunlight so they don't turn green or yellow.
Harvest the heads when they reach a 6- to 8-inch diameter and are firm and tight. Cut through the main stem, removing the entire head.
Things You Will Need
- Rubber band
- Cauliflower takes approximately 85 to 130 days to reach harvest maturity when grown from seed.
- You can plant cauliflower from transplants instead of direct seeding. Start seeds indoors 10 weeks before the last spring frost or purchase nursery seedlings. Plant the seedlings outdoors two to six weeks before the last frost.
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