Cauliflower & Sprouting
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Cauliflower & Sprouting Cauliflower Production 955 Benton Ave., Winslow, ME 04901 • Phone: 1-877-564-6697 • Fax: 1-800-738-6314 Email: service@johnnyseeds.com • Web Site: Johnnyseeds.com CAULIFLOWER (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) Cauliflower is grown for its heads of tightly packed, edible florets, sometimes referred to as “curd” due to their resemblance to cheese curd. The most commonly grown varieties are those with white heads, but other varieties produce purple, orange, or green heads. Sprouting cauliflower produce small white florets atop sweet, green stems. Like many members of the Brassica genus, cauliflower is a cool-weather crop that performs best in areas with a mild climate. It can be enjoyed raw, roasted, fried, steamed, or used as an alternative to potatoes, rice, pasta, or wheat flours. SITE SELECTION Cauliflower performs best in very fertile, moist but well-drained soil high in organic matter, with a pH of 6.0–7.5. Poor soil results in crops of poor quality. Sandy soils are acceptable but may require more frequent watering. For this reason, soils with good water-holding capacity are preferable. Irrigate regularly, as a consistent supply of moisture is critical; water stress during curd development can cause unmarketable heads. Plant in a location that receives full sun. Supply adequate levels of nitrogen to keep the plants productive over a long season. If your soil is not high in fertility, side dressing may be needed. TIMING & SUCCESSION PLANTING As a cool-season crop, cauliflower performs best at temperatures below 80°F/27°C. Occasional temperature spikes may not cause extensive crop damage but can result in ricey curds. Persistent hot weather often results in crop failure or reducedquality heads. Sprouting cauliflower is generally more heat tolerant than traditional heading varieties, but the curds can be more susceptible to riciness under temperature swings than standard types, especially as the florets approach maturity. Varieties have been bred to succeed in specific harvest slots; for example, some varieties are better adapted to warmer temperatures. Plan sowing and transplanting dates to ensure you are growing the appropriate variety for the season. Refer to Johnny’s Cauliflower Planting Program for more details and variety recommendations for each seasonal slot. “RICEY” CURDS Ricey curds are a physiological concern for cauliflower growers. This condition is commonly the result of temperature extremes or delay in harvest. As the term suggests, the heads take on the appearance of rice, with small spaces between the curds, and may also have a fuzzy appearance. For summer harvests: Select varieties adapted to mature in warmer temperatures. Start seeds in early spring, March–April, and transplant as soon as temperatures have moderated. Do not transplant until after the last frost, as cauliflower seedlings are less cold tolerant than more mature plants. For fall harvests: Fall harvests can be achieved in any location, regardless of climate. Start seeds in June–July, depending on your location, and transplant approximately 4 weeks later. In shortseason northern areas, where the harvest window is shorter, seed from early to mid June. For winter harvests: Winter harvests are successful in areas where winters are mild and temperatures rarely fall below 32°F/0°C. Start seeds in late summer and transplant September– February for harvest January–April, depending on variety. Cauliflower plants should reach 60–75% of their full mature size prior to entering winter; plants are generally more cold hardy when not full-grown. Growth will resume in the spring. TRANSPLANTING Four to six weeks before transplanting, sow 2–3 seeds per cell in 72-cell plug flats, or 3–4 seeds per inch in 20-row flats, ¼–½” deep. Keep soil temperature above 70°F/21°C until germination and 60°F/16°C thereafter. A seedling heat mat can help maintain the correct temperature during germination. Thin to 1 plant per cell after germination when plants have their first set of true leaves. Copyright © 2019 Johnny’s Selected Seeds. All rights reserved. SE

Ensure good air circulation and light. If you need to sow during the heat of summer, shade cloth can be hung in the tunnel or greenhouse to moderate temperatures. Plant out when seedlings are 4–6” tall and no more than 4–5 weeks old. Older transplants are typically stressed and do not perform as well as younger, actively growing seedlings. Prior to transplanting, gradually introduce the seedlings to increasing cold to harden. Transplant outdoors, 18” apart, in rows spaced 24–36” apart. If there is disease pressure in your area, they can be planted at a wider spacing to promote better air...

Another method of blanching cauliflower involves gently cracking the midribs of the larger, outer leaves and folding them over the head until it is fully covered. Do not break the leaves off completely, however, or they may dry out or blow away. Varieties described as “self-wrapping” develop wrapper leaves that naturally grow up over the heads and may not require manual intervention. However, self-wrapping varieties can also sometimes benefit from being blanched. Observe your crop and use your best judgment. Tying or covering the heads can subject the developing curds to increased humidity,...