Cauliflower
From Allotments 4 All
Sowing
- Seed depth: 6-13mm
- Germination soil temperature: 27C
- Days to germinate: 6
- Sow indoors: 4-6 weeks before last frost
- Sow outdoors: From last frost to late spring
- Plant outdoors: After last frost
Growing
- pH range: 6.5-7.5
- Growing soil temperature: 16-21C
- Spacing in beds: 35cm staggered pattern
- Watering: Moderate and even
- Light: Best yields in full sun, tolerates light shade
- Nutrient requirements: N=high; P=high, K=high
- Rotation considerations:Procede with nitrogen fixing crop, avoid following with members of the cabbage family
- Good companions: Beetroot, carrot, celery, cucumber, dill, dwarf bean, lettuce, mint,nasturium, onion family, peas, potato, rosemary, sage and spinach.
- Bad companions: Runner bean, strawberry
- Seed Longevity: 4 years
In September, sow the seeds thinly in a moist, firm, seedbed. In October, as soon as the first leaves are formed, transplant the seedlings to a frame. Plant them 2cm apart. Harden off in spring in readiness for planting out in April. Cauliflowers, if they are to produce large, compact heads, must be planted in humus-rich soil, shortly before transplanting, hoe in a general fertilizer, 2ozs (60 g) to the square yard; cauliflowers, like all brassicas, require lime. Lift the seedlings from the seed bed with as much soil as possible and plant them 60cm apart, with the same distance between rows.
