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Cauliflower
Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
Fussy but rewarding — perfect white curds are a gardener's badge of honor.
Sun
Full sun
Water
Steady, generous
Soil
Very rich, firm, pH 6.5–7.5
Spacing
60 cm apart
Days to harvest
70–100 days
Hardiness
Zones 3–10
Seasonal Calendar
S
S
S
SH
H
H
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Sow Harvest
The method
- 1
Sow indoors
Start in modules, transplant with rootball intact — any check causes buttoning.
- 2
Feed heavily
Work in plenty of well-rotted manure. Side-dress with nitrogen mid-season.
- 3
Blanch the curd
Snap outer leaves over the head to keep it white and tender.
- 4
Harvest promptly
Cut as soon as curds are dense but still tight.
Common problems
Buttoning (tiny heads)
Caused by any growth check — cold, drought, or poor soil.
Discolored curds
Blanch by tying leaves over the head as it forms.
Good neighbors
BeanBeetCelery
Field tips
- “Try purple, orange, and Romanesco varieties — no blanching needed.”
- “Always harvest in the morning when curds are firmest.”