How to grow cauliflower in the allotment

Best known for its classic white heads, known as curds, the cauliflower is also available in purple, yellow, orange and green varieties including the spiky headed Romanesco. With some careful planning and choice of variety they can be available to harvest from the allotment for most of the year. They are a member of the brassica family.

Sow cauliflower

Choosing your varieties carefully will allow sowing and harvesting for much of the year. Sow small quantities in succession, once mature cauliflowers will quickly go over and will not stand well in the ground.

Sow early varieties indoors from February. I sow in small six module trays, about three seeds per module. Sow about 6 mm deep in a good quality multipurpose compost. Thin to one per cell as they develop. Do not allow to dry out. I re-pot into 5 cm pots when they outgrow their cells. Harden off for a few days before planting out in the allotment.

Later varieties can be sown direct in the allotment in drills 6 mm deep and transplanted to their final position after five or six weeks. Alternatively continue to sow in cells as above. This is my preferred method as I find it easier to look after the seedlings and young plants at home and the developed plants are more resistant to slugs and snails.

Grow cauliflower

Cauliflower need plenty of food and water so a well composted area works best. Like most brassicas they need firm soil so if the area has been recently dug it may be beneficial to tread down before planting (harsh as this may seem!). Make a hole deep enough to plant with the lowest leaves level with the soil. Space between 30 cms and 60 cms apart. Larger spacing will give bigger curds. Firm well and water in. Continue to water weekly.

Harvest cauliflower

Harvest the curds as soon as they are ready as they will soon blow. They will be firm, compact and between 15 cms and 30 cms across depending on the variety. Cut through the stem below the curd, a few leaves can be included as these can help to protect it. Handle with care as they are easily damaged and this can quickly lead to decay.

Soaking in slightly salted water before cooking or storing will attract pest out of the cauliflower.

Store cauliflower

Cauliflower can be stored in the refrigerator for about a week. They also freeze well.

Cauliflower problems

Net against pigeons and butterflies and be wary of slugs.

Clubroot is a fungal disease that causes distortion of the roots, reduced yield and can kill plants. Growing from seed in good quality, fresh compost can reduce the chance of infection and as your plants will be in the ground for a shorter period the effect can be lessened. Avoided gifted plants if you are unsure of their origin - they may be infected. If you buy plants only use reliable sources.

Lime your brassica bed in accordance with pack instructions.

Plant in raised beds in wet areas if possible and keep your beds free of weeds.

Look out for clubroot resistant varieties.