{"id":2337,"date":"2019-06-06T09:35:45","date_gmt":"2019-06-06T09:35:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/?p=2337"},"modified":"2020-01-22T09:04:02","modified_gmt":"2020-01-22T09:04:02","slug":"14-care-tips-for-cauliflower","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/14-care-tips-for-cauliflower\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Care Tips for Cauliflower"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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If you are planting a home garden and trying to decide what to plant, cauliflower should definitely be on your list. Cauliflower is a great vegetable that provides your body with a ton of much-needed nutrients. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting fresh cauliflower out of your garden is quite wonderful. If you are planning to grow cauliflower this planting season there are a few things that you should know about these plants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order to get the most out of your cauliflower plants in terms of growth and the amount that you can harvest, you need to start your growing season right by first planting your seeds indoors in some grow pods and then transplanting when the weather is right. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another option is to simply purchase plants instead of seeds. This will give you a good start for your cauliflower garden. Here are 8 care tips for growing cauliflower in your home garden. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Planting Time Frame<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cauliflower is a cold-weather crop. This means that it will not do well in warmer climates. While this vegetable does require a bit more attention and care than other types of vegetables, if you do a bit of preplanning it can be a very good cool weather crop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should begin your seeds in the latter part of the summer if you are growing the vegetable outdoors. You can also plant cauliflower indoors in a cooler spot such as a cellar or a basement. If your local temperature does not go below 20 degrees F, you can grow cauliflower outside during the winter months and then harvest the vegetables during the spring months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to make sure that you remember that cauliflower will not grow well in weather that is too hot, so if you are in a subtropical climate, growing cauliflower may not be the best choice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Choosing the Right Variety<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another thing that you need to consider when you are trying to successfully grow cauliflower at home is the type of cauliflower. There are several different types of cauliflower from which to choose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the early season varieties of cauliflower include Denali, Panther, and Snow crown. These early-season varieties will typically mature in just seventy to eighty days. These varieties tend to have heads that are less dense and smaller. The taste will typically be less sweet as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other types of cauliflower are midseason. These varieties will need over 80 days to become mature. Some midseason varieties include Skywalker, Candid Charm, Orange Burst, and Graffiti. These varieties take a bit longer to grow, but they are bigger and have a sweeter taste than the earlier season varieties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The climate that you live in will determine which types are best for you to grow. Ask a grow club or someone at your local farmers market which variety is best for your area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Preparing your Seeds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before planting cauliflower seeds the first thing that you should do is to check for the recommended planting dates for your particular climatic zone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally speaking, you want to start seeds a month to six weeks before the last forecasted frost date. Cauliflower grows best when it is started in seed trays with some seed compost instead of multipurpose compost. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you are ready to plant your seeds you will want to plant one or two seeds in each cell. You should push them in at about a half-inch depth. If both of the seeds germinate, choose the one that is most robust and snip the other one using gardening shears. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do not pull out the second plant as this can cause damage to the roots of the stronger plant. Place the seed tray in a greenhouse and gently wet it. It will take about four weeks for the seeds to germinate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Preparing the Soil<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to soil, cauliflower is a bit finicky. To grow the best cauliflower you are going to need to use soil that has a high amount of nutrients. In addition, the soil has to be well watered all throughout the growing season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you plant your cauliflower you are going to want to make sure that you test the soil and make sure that it is not missing any nutrients that the plants require. There are soil testing kits available that will inform you of what your soil might be missing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you discover that your soil is nutrient deficient you can add manure to it in order to boost the nutrient content. You may also choose to add fertilizer to the soil in order to improve its overall nutrient supplies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking the time to make sure that your soil has the proper nutrients will go along way when it comes to growing cauliflower. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Proper Fertilization<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned, cauliflower plants are very particular about the soil that they grow in. These plants need plenty of nitrogen in order to grow properly. In order to ensure that your plants are getting the nutrients that they need, you should apply a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen at least once every couple of weeks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the best fertilizers are liquid seaweed feed, compost tea, fish emulsion, chicken manure pellets, or a combination of chicken manure and seaweed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice that your cauliflower plants are starting to turn brown or if the tips of the leaves of the plants start to become distorted, there is a good chance that the plant is lacking the nutrient boron and you will want to make sure that there is boron in the fertilizer that you are using. Make sure that you are testing your soil regularly to ensure that it contains the proper nutrients. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Proper Transplanting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have started your cauliflower from seeds in seed trays the next step will be to properly transplant them into your growing bed. If you have purchased plants, you will also need to properly transplant them into your garden. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For seedlings, you will want to prepare them to be outdoors for at least a week before you put them in the ground. To do this you will place them outside for an hour the first day and then increase the time they are outside each day after. This will help to harden them and prepare them for the elements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the seedlings are ready to be transplanted you will want to wait for a day that is somewhat overcast or during the evening areas so that you prevent wilting. You should plant each seedling about twenty inches apart. Make sure that your soil is ready for the plants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Proper Watering<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cauliflower plants need plenty of water in order to thrive. You are going to want to water your plant trays regularly. When the seedlings are ready to be transplanted you are going to want to make sure that you water the trays about an hour before you plan to transplant them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you have placed the seedlings in the ground you are going to want to make sure that you water the plants again. Do not soak the ground. Placing mulch around the plant will help to protect the plants from heat and also slows down evaporation. It is important to make sure that you keep your cauliflower plants moist all throughout the growing season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your cauliflower plants taste bitter it is a sign that they have not been watered enough. You can create a dam around the cauliflower plants in order to prevent water runoff. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Sun Protection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cauliflower plants need about six hours of full sun per day and more is often better. In addition, the plants need well-drained, fertile soil that has plenty of rich organic matter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the cauliflower plants start to grow and reach about two inches wide you may have to help protect them from the sun by pulling the leaves over the tiny heads and then fastening them with some twine or a clothespin. This will shade the head to ensure that it will stay white and remain tender during the harvest. This method of taking care of your cauliflower is referred to as blanching. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cauliflower plants are supposed to self blanch. This happens when the leaves curl over the head naturally. However, it is important to make sure that you watch your plants to ensure that they are doing this. If they do not self blanch you will need to help them by using some twine or a clothespin to keep the leaves in place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n