SunĬauliflower plants prefer full sun, at least 6 hours per day. Some varieties are more tolerant of colder or warmer temperatures so be sure to check the recommendations for the variety you plan to grow before planting. This makes early spring and fall the perfect seasons for a healthy harvest. TemperatureĬauliflower does best in temperatures that average 60° to 70° F. For a fall planting, plant in early to late July, depending on whether or not you’re starting seeds or plants. For spring planting, you’ll need to start seeds 4 to 5 weeks before the last frost and seedlings 2 to 4 weeks before. When to Plant CauliflowerĬauliflower loves the sun and the cool temperatures so it grows best in spring and fall. You may need to add potassium and phosphorus according to your test results. You’ll need to test your soil’s pH level cauliflower prefers soil with a pH of 6 to 7. What You Need to Grow CauliflowerĬauliflower will need well-draining, yet moisture-retentive and fertile soil to grow well. Planting sooner or later can have a negative impact on their growth. For seedlings, you’ll need to plant them 2 to 4 weeks before the last spring frost. If you decide to start from seeds, plan to start them 4 to 5 weeks before the last frost of spring. Seed, Bulb, or Plant?Ĭauliflower starts as a seed, but will grow faster when started as small nursery plants. It will tolerate a light frost, and blanching may be required. It will mature in 30-35 days and measures 3 to 5 inches in diameter. White Corona Hybrid – this variety is fast-growing and is perfect for a container or small garden.This variety is more tolerant of humidity and fungal disease and has a mildly sweet flavor. Grafitti Hybrid – a purple variety that matures in 70 to 80 days and grows to an average of 6 to 7 inches in diameter.Maturing in about 55 to 60 days, the heads are firm, dense, and about 7 inches in diameter. Flame Star Hybrid – a paler variety of the Cheddar Hybrid, it’s an early orange variety.It will grow to about 30 inches in height. The white heads average 9 inches in diameter and it is more tolerant of cold weather. Early White Hybrid – a faster growing variety that matures in 50-60 days.It may turn green during cooking, but adding vinegar or lemon juice will help retain the color. It’s a taller plant and will grow up to 20 inches in height. It’s flavorful, is high in antioxidants, and grows to an average of 6 to 7 inches in diameter. Depurple Hybrid – this purple variety takes a little longer to mature, about 80 to 100 days.This variety is high in beta-carotene and they deepen in color when cooked. The heads grow to 4 to 7 inches in diameter. Cheddar Hybrid – an early orange variety that also matures in 60 to 70 days.It will withstand a light frost and some heat, making it a good choice for beginners or areas where the temperatures fluctuate. It has a bright white head that grows to about 7 inches in diameter. Attribute Hybrid – an early variety that matures in 60 to 70 days.There are various types of cauliflower varieties including: If the temperature gets too warm or too cool, it can “button” meaning it will form small button-size heads instead of a single large head. Green cauliflower, known as “broccoflower” is a hybrid of cauliflower and broccoli but most resembles cauliflower.Ĭauliflower can be a little bit challenging for beginner gardeners because it requires consistently cool temperatures in the 60☏ to grow well. Cauliflower is high in vitamins B, C, and K as well as fiber and beta carotene. There are several varieties including the most common white cauliflower and lesser seen purple, orange, and green varieties. It’s dense and curd-like with a mildly sweet, nutty flavor. Unlike broccoli though, it has a domed head of edible flower buds. It’s similar to broccoli in that it grows in a head and all parts of it, head, leaves, and stems, are edible. It’s a cool-weather crop that prefers the spring and fall. How to Grow Cauliflower for Beginners – an OverviewĬauliflower (Brassica oleracea) is part of the Brassicaceae family along with broccoli, cabbage, collards, kale, brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi. It’s a versatile vegetable and one that you can easily add to your meal plan for an inexpensive, healthy option. It can also become a healthy alternative to bread crumbs when coating chicken tenders to add some crunch and vegetables to your family’s diet. It can be ground up, served as rice, or used to make a delicious pizza dough. Another great resource to have in your how to start a backyard garden library.Ĭauliflower is gaining popularity as a healthy vegetable and a healthy substitution for carbs. Learn the steps you need for How to Grow Cauliflower for beginners step-by-step, from planting to harvest. If you love fresh, delicious vegetables in the summer, today’s post is for you.
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