Cauliflower: Planting, Growing, and Harvesting Cauliflower Plants

Planting

It is best to start cauliflower from transplants rather than seeds. Do not transplant sooner than 2 to 3 weeks before the average frost date in the spring.
Space the transplants 18 to 24 inches apart, using the wider space for fall planting, in fertile, well-drained soil. Use starter fertilizer when transplanting.
Plant fall cauliflower about the same time as fall cabbage.
If you want to start cauliflower from seeds, start the seeds 4 to 5 weeks before the plants are needed. Plant the seeds in rows 3 to 6 inches apart and 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch deep. Do not forget to water the seeds during their germination and growth. Once they become seedlings, transplant them to their permanent place in the garden.

Care

Make sure that the plants have uninterrupted growth. Any interruption can cause the plants to develop a head prematurely or ruin the edible part completely.
Cauliflower requires consistent soil moisture. For best growth, side-dress the plants with a nitrogen fertilizer and water the plants regularly.
When the curd (the white head) is about 2 to 3 inches in diameter, tie the outer leaves together over the head with a rubber band, tape, or twine. This is called blanching, and it protects the head from the sun.
The plants are usually ready for harvest 7 to 12 days after blanching.

Pests

Cabbageworm
Aphids
Harlequin bugs
Clubroot
Black rot

Harvest/Storage

When the heads are compact, white, and firm, then it is time to harvest them.
Cut the heads off the plant with a large knife. Be sure to leave some of the leaves around the head to keep it protected.
If the cauliflower has a coarse appearance, it is too mature and should be tossed.
If you want to store cauliflower, you can put the head in a plastic bag and store it in the refrigerator. It should last for about a week.
For long-term storage, you can also freeze or pickle the heads.

Recommended Varieties

'Snowball', which produces medium heads and a good yield throughout the growing season.
'Orange', which has a similar taste to the white cauliflower but has more vitamin A.

Recipes

Wit & Wisdom

Cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education.
-Mark Twain (1835-1910)

Comments

Are the side shoots worth

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By barbara cooper on June 13

Are the side shoots worth saving? Harvested large inner head but is putting out side shoots like broccoli. Are they worthtrying to save?

Side shoots are bonus! Enjoy!

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By Almanac Staff on June 17

Side shoots are bonus! Enjoy! Many varieties of cauliflower do not develop side shoots, though some cultivars will produce as long as you leave a few leaves on the plant (eg., Green Comet). This can extend the harvest period for a month or more.

Third time's a charm?

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By tridoc927

This will be my third year trying to grow cauliflower. And this time I am starting with seed for purple cauliflower. Can't grow the white stuff so going to another color. First year huge plants no heads. Second year small heads and blossomed quickly. So cross your fingers!