MY MICHIGAN GARDEN
Cauliflower
Biennial
Plant Height: 24-30"
Planting Depth: ¼-½"
Soil Temp, Germ: 55-80°F
Days to Germ.: 3-10
Plant Spacing: 15-18"
Days to Maturity: 70-80
Partial Shade/Full Sun
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GROWING DATES
Started Seeds Indoors:
March 1st
Growth Begins:
March 11
Transplanted To Garden:
May 30
First Harvest:
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Cauliflower, (Brassica oleracea)
Cauliflower is a cool-season vegetable and is more difficult to grow
than other members of the cabbage family.
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Propagation:
Cauliflower is best started from transplants.
Do not transplant sooner than 2 to 3 weeks before the average frost-free date
in the spring. Cauliflower is more sensitive to the cold than its
cabbage-family relatives. It is important to start cauliflower early enough
that it matures before the heat of the summer but not so early that it is
injured by the cold. Use starter fertilizer when transplanting.
Start the transplants so that they grow actively until transplanting
and never cease growth. Always use young, active transplants.
Never buy stunted plants started in flats and held too long
before transplanting; results are almost always disappointing.
Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart in the row.
Soil & Water:
Cauliflower plants should be kept growing vigorously from the seedling
stage through harvest. Any interruption (extreme cold, heat, drought or plant
damage) can abort development of the edible portion. Large plants that
never develop a head are extremely disappointing. Cauliflower must have
a consistent and ample supply of soil moisture. Side-dress nitrogen
fertilizer when the plants are half grown.
Harvesting:
The cauliflower head’s curd develops rapidly under proper growing conditions.
It grows 6 to 8 inches in diameter and is ready to harvest within 7 to 12 days
after blanching begins. The mature heads should be compact, firm and white.
Harvest the heads by cutting the main stem. Leave a few green outer leaves
attached to protect the heads. Cut the heads before they become overmature
and develop a coarse, "ricey" appearance. Once individual florets can be seen,
quality deteriorates rapidly. Because cauliflower does not ordinarily develop
side shoots, plants may be disposed of or composted after heads are harvested.
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Cauliflower June 13
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Cauliflower June 25, some heads well underway
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After the heads start to grow, above right, I tied up the
leafs, below left, to protect them from the sun and alow a larger head to grow.
This was advice from a neighbor that has been gardening for 50 years.
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Cauliflower July 3
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