How to Grow Cauliflower | Tips & Advice

Where & When to Grow
Cauliflowers are part of the Brassica family. This means they hate acid soil and unless your soil is alkaline it must be treated with lime when being prepared. The second important point is that the young plants must be planted out in firm soil otherwise the Cauliflower will not form properly. Cauliflowers are difficult to grow well. They need rich soil in a sunny location that has been limed if necessary. The ground should be prepared two weeks  before planting by treading down to firm it and then lightly raked and a general fertilizer applied.

How to Grow
Seedlings should be ready to plant out between mid May and mid June when they have 5 or 6 leaves The plants should be spaced 2’ apart in rows. Water the plants thoroughly after planting. Hoe regularly around the plants to keep the weeds down and they will benefit if a fine mesh net is used to cover them to avoid attacks by birds and butterflies who lay their eggs on the leaves so that their caterpillars can use them for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Water regularly and feed occasionally to keep the plant growing without check. Protect the white heads “curds” from the summer sun by bending over the green leaves.

Harvesting
Cauliflowers are ready to harvest when large enough in August / September. Do not be greedy and leave them too long waiting for them to get bigger.

Cauliflower All Year Round Pack of 15 Vegetable Plug Plants £3.99