Cauliflower

Plant family

Crucifers (Brassicaceae)

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Semi-shaded

Water requirement

Very humid

Soil

Heavy (clay)

Nutrient requirement

High

Seeding distance

50 cm

Row spacing

50 cm

Seeding depth

1.5 cm

Instructions

Beginning of December

Propagating

Mid of December

Transplanting

Description

Cauliflower is quite a demanding crop from the cruciferous family - closely related to broccoli. The varieties differ in head shape and color (white, yellow, green, purple), and whether the leaves cover the head or not. The edible parts of the plant are the closed and thickened inflorescences. Typically planted in the spring and harvested in the summer, but fall and winter cultivation is also possible. Winter cauliflower varieties can tolerate frosts as low as -12 degrees, so they can remain on the bed through the winter. They are ready for harvesting from April. However, cultivation is recommended only in mild regions. A variant of cauliflower is Romanesco.

Growing tips

Prefers humic, calcareous, deep, somewhat heavy soil in a sunny location. Even watering and nutrient supply is important during growth. When planting seedlings, the soil should be moist and you should water the seedlings well. The inflorescences can be cut off with a short stem for harvesting. Cauliflower can be harvested into the winter, as it can tolerate sub-zero temperatures. However, the plants will still be happy if you cover them with a fleece. For early varieties, it is good to grow the plantlets indoors. If your soil is not very calcareous, we recommend liming it to reduce susceptibility to cabbage hernia.