Cauliflower is a delicious and nutritious addition to any garden plot. It’s part of the cabbage family, so it grows well in cool weather. If you’re looking to incorporate more vegetables into your diet, growing cauliflower is an excellent way to do so.
Cauliflower can be eaten raw or cooked, and is a common gluten free substitute for pizza crust. It is also often used to make a vegetarian buffalo chicken substitute, or in place of rice in fried rice for a healthier dish.
Ready to grow your own cauliflower? Read our guide below to get started.
Health Benefits of Cauliflower
Cauliflower is high in vitamin C, vitamin K and dietary fiber. It’s also full of antioxidants—which help prevent cancer by neutralizing harmful substances known as free radicals that can damage cells in your body—and folate (vitamin B9), which supports your heart health.
Additionally, cauliflower contains a good amount of manganese—a mineral that helps keep bones strong by acting as an antioxidant itself or helping other minerals do the same job—and vitamin B6, which plays an essential role in brain function.
Start cauliflower seeds indoors, or choose starter plants from your local garden center.
If you plan to grow cauliflower from seed, sow them indoors about eight weeks before the last expected spring frost. If you want to get an early start, sow the seeds indoors in late winter or early spring.
The best time to plant is right after the last frost date in spring—that way your plants will have enough time to develop before they go outside into their garden beds! The seeds can be planted directly into their space outdoors once danger of frost has passed.
When purchasing starter plants from your local garden center, choose ones that have been hardened off and are at least 6 inches tall. The best way to harden off cauliflower plants is by placing them outside during warm days followed by putting them back inside at night.
To start cauliflower indoors, you’ll need a container with good drainage, such as a pot with holes for water to drain out. If you don’t have any pots with good drainage, you can make one by drilling holes in the bottom of your pot or using an old colander as a grower. You also want to use a potting mix that has good drainage because otherwise the soil will become too soggy and won’t allow roots to grow properly.
Cauliflower needs plenty of nitrogen, so be sure to add compost or fertilizer before you plant your seeds.
Harden Off Cauliflower Plants
If your cauliflower hasn’t been hardened, harden off the cauliflower by moving them outside in a protected area for a few hours at a time.
Harden the plants off by moving them outside in a protected area for a few hours at a time, gradually increasing the amount of time they spend outdoors.
Protect Your Cauliflower Plants
Keep plants warm in winter and cool in summer by placing them near a south-facing wall or fence, or under deciduous trees that provide shade during the day.
Protect from wind and frost by covering with mesh nets or polythene tunnels during cold nights, protecting from pests such as flea beetles (which attack young leaves) with insecticidal soap spray. You can also cover young plants with netting to protect them from birds!
Water your cauliflower plant as needed to keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy or saturated.
Watering frequency depends on soil type, weather conditions, and other factors. Water when the soil is dry to the touch. Water thoroughly and often if you live in a dry, sunny area.
If there is runoff after watering, you may be overwatering your plants. It is important to consider your local climate and weather to determine the correct amount of water that is safe and beneficial to your cauliflower plants.
Fertilize regularly with water-soluble fertilizer to encourage strong growth.
Water-soluble fertilizer is a good choice for cauliflower because it’s easily absorbed by the plant and doesn’t burn the roots if used in moderation.
Use a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to encourage strong growth. Fertilize at least once a month during spring and summer months.
How to Grow Cauliflower: Final Thoughts
With this latest addition to your garden, you’re sure to add some delicious new dishes to your repertoire. Cauliflower is a fairly easy plant to grow, but it isn’t quite as straightforward as other vegetables might be.
When in doubt, remember that cauliflower is a cool-weather crop and needs plenty of water and fertilizer to do its best. So be sure you have the right conditions for growing your cauliflower before you get started.
As you harvest cauliflower and other produce throughout the season, download the Lil’ Broc app in order to track and monitor the shelf life of your produce in order to ensure that it is all eaten while fresh.