Cauliflower

• Light: Sunny
• Soil: Well-drained, high organic matter
• Fertility: Rich pH. 6.0 to 7.0
• Temperature: Cool (60 to 65 degrees F.)
• Moisture: Keep moist, but not waterlogged

• Planting: Set out transplants in early spring and fall, does better in fall
• Spacing: 15 to 24 inches X 24 to 36 inches
• Hardiness: Hardy annual
• Fertilizer needs: Medium feeder; use starter fertilizer when transplanting; sidedress 3 weeks later and as needed (1 1/2 ounces of 21-0-0 per 10 feet of row)

Set out transplants 3 to 4 weeks before the frost-free date in spring. Fall cauliflower should be sown in late summer or early fall. Many gardeners experience buttoning of cauliflower heads in spring because of a failure of the cauliflower head to gain size after it reaches about an inch or less in diameter. It is usually caused by transplant stress or heat stress during the head formation period. Use short-season varieties for best results.

Cauliflower should be blanched when the curd (head) starts to form. Pull three or four large outer leaves over the curd and fasten them with a string or rubber band, or break them over the top of the cauli­flower and tuck in on the other side of the curd. Normally, blanching takes 6 to 10 days but may take longer in fall. Self-blanching types have leaves that grow up over the head and may not need manual blanching. If the weather is warm during the blanching period, loosely tie the leaves to allow air circulation Harvest while the curd is still firm. If cauliflower to too mature, it becomes grainy or "ricey."

Common Problems

• Diseases: Yellows or Fusarium wilt; blackleg; mildew
• Insects: Cabbage root fly maggots; cutworms; cabbage worms; cabbage looper worms; flea beetles; aphids
• Cultural: Poor heading (interrupted growth due to chilling from extremely early planting, drying out, or high temperatures).

• Days to maturity: 65 to 90 days from transplanting
• Harvest: Cut before flower sections begin to separate; curd should be compact, firm, white and fairly smooth; leave a ruff of leaves surrounding the head to prolong storage quality
• Approximate yields: (per 10 foot row) 8 to 12 pounds
• Amount to raise per person: 8 pounds
• Storage: Very cold (32 degrees F.), moist (95 percent RH) conditions for 2 to 4 weeks
• Preservation: Freezing; pickling