Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
QUICK TIPS FOR GROWING CAULIFLOWER
FAMILY
NAME
Brassicaceae (mustard or cabbage family).
EDIBLE
PARTS
Heads.
LOCATION
Cool, sunny area.
BEST SOIL
Rich, moist but well-drained, loamy soil; pH 6.0-6.8.
WHEN TO
PLANT
Start indoors April to mid-July, then transplant out after 6 to 8
weeks.
HOW TO
PLANT
Space transplants 16 to 24 inches apart in rows 2 to 3 feet apart.
Sow seeds ⁄ -inch deep, 4 inches apart, then thin seedlings.
1
2
HOW MUCH
TO PLANT
10 to 15 plants per person each season.
WEEDING
Keep well weeded around the base of the plant.
WATERING
Water deeply at least once a week around the base of the plant.
Hand-watering or drip irrigation are best; if an overhead sprinkler
is used, the large leaves block the water from the roots.
CARE
Cauliflower heads need to be blanched if you want them to
remain a whitish color. Start blanching 3 weeks before you plan
to harvest.
FERTILIZING
Start to fertilize about 3 weeks after setting out the transplants
and again when the bud starts to form on the plant.
PESTS AND
DISEASES
Root maggots, cabbageworms, and clubroot are common. Crop
rotation is essential for prevention of pests and diseases.
WHEN TO
HARVEST
Cauliflower usually matures in 55 to 100 days.
HOW TO
HARVEST
Cut the head of cauliflower off at the base of the plant using a
sharp knife.
STORAGE
A head of cauliflower will last for a couple of weeks in the
refrigerator. Cauliflower can be frozen and used as you need it.
Kale
Kale has high levels of vitamin C and calcium and the highest levels
of beta carotene of all the green vegetables. It is a hardy vegetable.
