Growing Cauliflower
If your area stays cool, this veggie is for you.
- Plant cauliflower in an area with full sun and fertile, well-drained soil.
- Improve the soil with a 3-inch layer of Miracle-Gro® Garden Soil for Vegetables & Herbs.
- Get a mature cauliflower harvest in less time by starting with young plants from Bonnie Plants®.
- Keep soil moist and prevent weeds by adding a 3-inch layer of mulch.
- Feed cauliflower regularly with Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® Edibles Plant Nutrition Granules to encourage the growth of big heads.
- For cauliflower with white heads, cover the head with the largest leaf and secure with twine when the head is the size of an egg.
- Harvest when heads reach 6-8 inches in diameter.
Cauliflower may be a bit more challenging to grow than other garden vegetables, such as kale and chard, but with these few simple steps you'll be able to grow this hearty vegetable, which is high in fiber, vitamin C and a good source of several other nutrients.
Enriching Your Soil
Cauliflower likes to grow in full sun and rich, moist, well-drained soil with a pH between 6 and 7. Till the soil to loosen it to a depth of 12-15 inches. Then, work in a 3-inch layer of nutrient-rich compost or garden soil, such as Miracle-Gro® Garden Soil for Vegetables & Herbs, into the top 6 inches of native soil.
Planting Cauliflower
The fastest way to grow cauliflower is to start with young plants, such as the strong, vigorous ones from Bonnie Plants®. That way, you'll already be well on your way to harvest time! If you prefer to grow from seed and are starting your cauliflower seeds indoors, wait until seedlings have 5 leaves before transplanting them to your garden (this will take about 4 to 6 weeks). Also, make sure to harden off your seedlings before planting, gradually adjusting them to outdoor conditions by leaving them outside for a few hours a day. Move them permanently outdoors two weeks before your last frost date, and place each seedling 24 inches apart. If you're starting outdoors, sow cauliflower seeds 1/2 inch deep and 24 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart.
Caring for Your Cauliflower
Water as necessary to keep the soil consistently moist and add a 3-inch layer of mulch to help retain moisture and keep soil temperatures cooler. To give cauliflower the nutrition it needs to grow big heads, feed the plants regularly with Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics® Edibles Plant Nutrition Granules throughout the growing season. Be sure to read the directions on the label.
Blanching White Cauliflower
f your cauliflower variety has white heads, you'll want to ensure a bright white head by covering it as it grows. This is called blanching. When the head reaches about the size of an egg, pull the longest leaves up and over it, then secure them in place with twine or an elastic band. Purple, green and orange cauliflower heads don't need to be blanched.
Harvesting Your Cauliflower
Your cauliflower will be ready harvest when the heads are 6-8 inches in diameter, roughly 10 days after blanching. Harvest by cutting the stalk just below the head, leaving a stem of about 1-2 inches.
