Lavender (F1) Cauliflower Seed

Scientific name

Brassica oleracea var. botrytis

Soil and water

Cauliflower needs fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter, with a pH of 6.0–7.5, and steady moisture all season; water regularly so plants never suffer drought stress. It dislikes hot weather and does best as a spring or fall crop.

Days to maturity

Counted from transplanting.

Spring crop

Choose early and midseason varieties. Sow in 72-cell trays, keeping the mix at about 70°F (21°C) until the seed sprouts and around 60°F (16°C) after that. Plant out while seedlings are still young, no more than 4–5 weeks old, since older, stressed transplants often head poorly. Harden them off gradually, then set them 18" apart in rows 24–36" apart.

Fall crop

Choose midseason and late varieties. Start transplants in May and plant out in June or July. Where hard freezes come early, sow on the early side so heads mature in time.

Winter crop

Where winters are mild and temperatures seldom fall below 32°F (0°C), transplants can go out from September through February.

Direct sowing

Sow 3–4 seeds every 18", 1/2" deep, in rows 24–36" apart, and thin each group to one plant.

Blanching

Sun can turn white curds yellow. When small heads first show through the leaves, pull the outer leaves up over the head and tie them with string or a wide rubber band, or snap the leaf midribs and fold them over until the head is covered, taking care not to tear the leaves off. Covered heads stay more humid and are more prone to Alternaria, so blanch only when needed: it is usually unnecessary in the cool, short days of fall, and colored varieties need sun to develop their color.

Insect pests

Cover seedlings with floating row cover from planting day to keep off flea beetles and root maggots. Use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) for cabbage worms and loopers. Working the soil well ahead of planting to turn in cover crops and weeds helps reduce cutworms.

Disease prevention

Prevention is the best approach: rotate with non-brassica crops over several years, use clean seed-starting mix and seedbeds, and keep tools and fields clean.

Harvest

Check plants often and cut heads once they reach the size you want, before the curds start to loosen and turn grainy ("ricey").

Storage

Keep at 32°F (0°C) and 95–98% relative humidity for 2–3 weeks.

Seed size

Seed is sized for even spacing with mechanical seeders unless the product description says otherwise.

Packet

50 seeds.

Seeds per lb.

About 74,000 on average.