Cauliflower

Botanical Name

Brassica oleracea var. botrytis

Height

1 to 2 feet

Width

18 to 36 inches

Light

Full sun

Soil

Moist, well-drained, fertile

Planting & Care

Cauliflower is the most difficult of the cole crops to grow. Timing is critical. Heads will not develop in hot or dry weather.
Too much sun, heat or nitrogen will result in deformed "ricey" heads
Provide plants with consistent moisture and fertility. Shield plants from extreme cold, heat, drought or plant damage. Any one of these can arrest the development of the head.
Sow seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the average last frost
Provide direct light so that seedlings don't become leggy
Transplant into garden when the soil temperature is at least 50° and the danger of frost has passed. Plants should have four or 5 true leaves.
Space transplants 16 to 24 inches apart in rows 24 to 36 inches apart
Never buy or plant stunted or leggy transplants that have been held too long
Larger, older transplants are more likely to bolt when exposed to cool temperatures
Because of the shallow root system of cauliflower, avoid even light cultivation
Mulch soil around plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds and protect roots
When the head is 2 to 3 inches in diameter, it's time blanch to protect the color and flavor of the head
- With a string or rubber band, secure the outer leaves together over the center of the plant to protect the head from sunburn
With the proper growing conditions, the head develops quickly and can be harvested in 7 to 12 days after blanching or when the head grows to 6 to 8 inches in diameter
Harvest the heads by cutting the main stem

Problems

Cabbage worms, flea beetles, ahpids, slugs, snails, clubroot, purple blotch, black rot, cabbage yellows

Varieties

Self-Blanche - leaves naturally curl over the head and usually doesn't require blanching
Snowball Y Improved - another self-blanching variety, 6 inch head
Andes - self-blanching
Candid Charm - self-blanching, large head
Serrano - self-blanching, 6 to 7 inch head
Snow Crown - tolerant to heat and cold, resistant to yellows, All-America Selections winner
Snow Grace - improved Snow Crown
Snow King - 8 to 9 inch head, very early, heat tolerant
White Corona - small 3 to 4 inch head, very early, ideal for compact gardens and short seasons
Violet Queen Hybrid - purple head, self-blanching