Three secrets to luxurious cauliflower

Cauliflower is a demanding crop, but with proper agricultural techniques, even in temperate climates, you can obtain large and juicy heads. The key is to consider the climate features and the plant’s needs while carefully monitoring its condition at every stage.



Cauliflower does not tolerate extremes. To ensure the heads form dense and large, it is essential to control the temperature, timely feed the plants, shade the heads, and carry out other necessary procedures. Overall, caring for cauliflower is not too complicated, but it is important not to overlook any stage.
 

In regions with short summers and the risk of recurrent frosts, it is crucial to select early or mid-season varieties with a vegetation period of 80-110 days. Pay attention to Snowball (cold-resistant, matures in 90 days).

Choosing the right variety is equally important in other regions. The optimal temperature range for cauliflower is 15-20°C. In hot weather, the plant develops excessive foliage, while in cold conditions, its growth slows down. In regions with hot summers, choose heat-resistant varieties (such as Alpha).

In any case, opt for regionally adapted varieties suited to the local climate (early ones for short summers, late ones for mild autumns).
For season extension, you can use repeated sowings in June (ultra-early varieties are suitable).
 

Cauliflower thrives in light, organic-rich soils with neutral acidity (pH 6.5–7.5). Ideally, the bed should be prepared in autumn by adding humus (5–7 kg per sq. m) and mineral fertilizers (superphosphate – 30 g per sq. m).

Follow crop rotation and avoid planting cauliflower after other cruciferous crops (radish, cabbage).

In spring, add ash to the bed (1 cup per sq. m to reduce acidity). Two weeks after transplanting into the ground, fertilize the cauliflower with a solution of manure (1:10) or urea (20 g/10 l of water). At the beginning of head formation, the plant will need a balanced fertilizer with potassium and phosphorus.

Two weeks before harvest, it is essential to apply foliar feeding with fertilizer containing boron and magnesium.
 

You will need to monitor watering and even ambient temperature.

The soil should remain moderately moist at all times. Do not allow it to dry out, especially during the head-setting phase. The standard is 10-15 liters of water per sq. m every 5-7 days.

When the temperature exceeds 25°C, heads become smaller. To prevent this, shade them by breaking the upper leaves and tying them around the head or using agro-fabric. Also, mulch the soil with straw or peat to retain moisture. In extreme heat, spray cauliflower with preparations like Epin and Zircon to reduce plant stress from unfavorable conditions.

If the heads fail to mature, uproot the plants and continue growing them in a greenhouse or cellar at 5-10°C.

If frost threatens, do not hesitate to cover the plantings with spunbond.

Growing cauliflower in temperate regions requires attention to detail, but the results are worth the effort. Choose early varieties, remember to fertilize, and protect the heads from stress – and you will achieve the maximum yield.