Greenhouse-raised cauliflower seedlings should be planted outside in late March or early April. Maincrop cauliflower seedlings need to be transplanted from the seed bed to their main growing site in June. Winter cauliflowers are transplanted in July.
The seedlings should be lifted (use a hand trowel) when they have five or six leaves and transplanted to the same depth as they were at in the seed bed (or tray). The day before lifting, give them a good soak and move the seedlings with as much soil attached to the roots as possible. The seedlings should be spaced 50-60cm (1ft 8in-2ft) apart and firmed-in well before watering once again.
Greenhouse-raised cauliflowers will be ready for picking in the early summer. Maincrop cauliflowers are usually harvested between July and November. Winter cauliflowers are usually picked between March and May.
The main growing site for cauliflowers should be in a sunny spot with a fertile and moisture-retentive but well-drained soil.
This vegetable prefers well-consolidated ground, so leave several months between soil preparation (digging and forking over the area to remove weeds and incorporating plenty of well-rotted garden compost into the ground to increase the fertility) and planting. Then, a week before planting, tread over the ground to firm it down and then scatter a general organic fertiliser over the site before lightly raking the soil surface.
If you have raised cauliflowers in a greenhouse, then 'harden-off' the seedlings for a week before planting them outside – this can be done by placing them on the terrace in the day and bringing them back under cover at night.
During the growing season, cauliflowers must be watered regularly, especially when young and in dry weather. You must also remove all weeds. In windy or frosty conditions, check the plants to ensure they have not become loose - firm them back in if necessary.
The curds of summer cauliflowers should be protected from hot sunshine by snapping (but not severing) and bending some of the outer leaves over the top of them – this also ensures they retain their colour. Autumn and winter cauliflower curds need protecting from frost and snow and should be covered with the outer leaves too.
Cauliflowers should be picked in the morning while the dew is still on them but, in frosty conditions, delay harvesting until midday. Any curds that are turning yellow or brown are showing signs of deterioration. When harvesting, cut through the stalk near to ground level and always leave a few leaves around the base of each curd. Once cut, cauliflowers will keep in the fridge for about a week.
If you want to store the cauliflowers (they will keep for up to three weeks before use) lift the whole plants out of the ground, shake the loose earth off the roots and hang upside down in a cool and dark shed – mist occasionally with tepid water to keep them fresh.
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