Cauliflowers require a little more care than other members of the brassica family, although regarded
as a challenge the delicate taste from a fresh picked plant makes them well worth the extra effort.
There are two sorts of cauliflower: summer and winter, the former is a proper cauliflower, while
the winter cauliflower is actually a type of broccoli. Winter cauliflower are easier to grow than the
summer ones, but take a lot longer to mature, this make pose a problem with some crop rotation
systems.
Avoid growing on sites where brassicas have been grown in the last to years. Make sure the soil
is not too acidic, the ideal ph level would be between 6.8-7.0. If ph levels are too low the
cauliflower plants can not obtain a trace element called molybdenum, a deformation called whip tail
can then result.
Cauliflowers are sown, according to the time of harvesting and there varieties. Keep to the
recommended sowing periods suggested on the seed packets, the plants can bolt if sowed to early.
The earliest summer cauliflowers, which are intended to be harvested in late spring and
early summer should be sown under glass in boxes from early autumn to mid-winter. These will
require a constant temperature of 10-16 degrees C(50-60 degrees F) while germinating, but while
growing through the winter a lower temperature of 7-10 degrees C (45-45 degrees F) will be
sufficient.
The second earlies, which consist of rather hardier varieties can be harvested in in mid-summer.
These should be sown in boxes, trays or pots under glass at the same time as the early
cauliflowers. A second sowing may be made outdoors in early spring, although this should
be protected by cloches against night frosts and chilly daytime weather. The plants come
to maturity a month or two later than those sown and brought on under glass.
The maincrops, are larger and hardier varieties of cauliflower, these can be harvested from
late summer to mid-autumn. Sow in an outdoor seed-bed in mid-spring, giving some protection
against night frosts. Sow in drills 1.2 cm (half an inch) deep in rows22-30cm (9-12") apart,
depending on the variety.
The secret of success with summer cauliflowers is rapid and continuous growth. From transplanting
time onwards they need copious watering, if allowed to completely dry up at any time, they are liable to form very
small heads. Even though the soil may have been very rich as a result of its preparation, it
can do with even more feeding.
Mulch the soil around the plants three weeks after planting, drenching it with water afterwards. When the curds have started to form, give the
plants a top dressing of nitrate of soda. Winter cauliflowers have the hazard of too much
water to contend with in the winter, as well as too little in the summer. Earth up the soil
in early to mid-autumn to form a continuous low ridge. This ensure that the excess water
drains away from the stem. It also helps to strengthen the plants against the winter winds.
It is not necessary to feed winter cauliflower during the early part of their development.
The cauliflower is ready for cutting when the upper surface of the curd is fully exposed and
the inner leaves no longer cover it.
