Cauliflower

Brassica oleracea, Botrytis Group.

This nutritious, hearty food is an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate. Steamed and mashed it makes a low-calorie, low-carb mashed potato substitute. Thanks to our extensive trialing, we've chosen superb cauliflower varieties for spring and fall harvest. With the addition of overwintering types, you'll have a nearly seamless supply of fresh-from-the-garden crops from fall to the following spring in milder climate gardens.

Days to maturity are calculated from date of transplanting; add 25-35 days if direct seeding.

Culture
• Performs best in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0
• Cauliflower is a cool-season crop that does not tolerate extreme heat; rough heads or leaves in the head are usually from heat stress
• Keep beds evenly moist and/or use shade cloth to maintain quality during heat waves
• Excess nitrogen or a boron deficiency can cause hollow stem
• Blanching: To ensure completely white heads, tie the inner leaves around the head when it starts to form, or break over some inside leaves to shade the head
• In colder climates covering with Reemay or Frost Blanket will protect plants from frost damage

Direct Sowing
• Direct seed April through June
• At the bottom of the furrow band 1/2 cup of TSC's Complete fertilizer per 5 row feet
• Cover with loose soil or sifted compost
• Not recommended for fall plantings

Transplanting
• Start indoors 4-6 weeks before your anticipated transplant date
• Side dress with 1/2 cup of TSC's Complete fertilizer at transplant
• Start fall/overwinter varieties May—July for transplanting June—August

Insects & Diseases
• Common insects: See Brassica Insect Information below
• Disease prevention: 5-7 year crop rotation

Harvest & Storage
• Harvest when heads are tight and dense
• Overmature florets begin to separate and appear ricey
• Store at 36°F and 95% relative humidity

Brassica Insect Information
Aphids: Control aphids with ladybugs or a hard spray of water or Pyrethrin. Also, select varieties that mature later in the season when aphid populations decline.
Cabbage worms, loopers, and root maggots: The first sign of cabbage worms will be off-white butterflies fluttering near the plants. They lay their yellowish-colored eggs on the undersides of leaves, which hatch into caterpillars that can cause severe root and head damage. To control light infestations, spray plants with Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t.): For heavy infestations, bait cabbage worms by mixing wheat bran into a B.t. solution. Add 1 tablespoon of molasses. Broadcast the bran mixture around the base of plants. Reapply as necessary. Using Reemay or Summer Insect Barrier can also provide control.
Flea beetles: Flea beetles chew tiny pinholes in leaves. Early control is essential to minimize the damage. Spray infected plants with Pyrethrin. Using floating row covers such as Summer Insect Barrier can also provide control.
Symphylans: In some areas of the US, symphylans (also known as garden centipede) can severely impede the plant growth of many crops. Only 1/4 inch long, white, and very active, they eat the root hairs of developing plants. Using larger transplants helps reduce damage. Contact your local county extension agent if you suspect you have a problem.