Cauliflower is the “diva” in the cabbage family. Delicate and nutrient-hungry, cauliflower needs a lot of attention even as a small plant. You can sow the early varieties in January/February in the greenhouse or in the protected cold frame.
When and how should you sow cauliflower?
Cauliflower can be sown in the greenhouse or cold frame from January/February. The seeds should be sown 2 mm deep in potting soil and placed in a bright place. The period from mid-April to early June is suitable for sowing directly outdoors. A sunny to partially shaded location on nutrient-rich, calcareous soil is optimal.
Basic information about sowing
Not every garden has enough space to grow a bag of seeds in the same year. 1 g of cauliflower seeds produces around 150 plants. The cauliflower seed retains its ability to germinate for around 4 years. You can easily use any leftover seeds next year. In addition to the common white cauliflower varieties, varieties with purple and yellow heads are also available commercially. A high-yielding white early variety is the “Erfurt Dwarf”, for example the varieties Synergy F1 Incrusaat or Clapton F1 are suitable for the entire outdoor season.
Early sowing
Cauliflower is sensitive - the use of potting soil (€6.00 on Amazon) is therefore advisable. Cover the seeds very lightly (about 2mm) with soil. A bright location is important for the pre-culture. If a greenhouse or cold frame is not available, you can also grow cauliflower in planters.
The first leaves appear four to six days after sowing. The seedlings should not be too warm and humid. When the plants are large enough, they need to be pricked out so that they have enough space to develop. After about six to eight weeks it is time to move the strongest seedlings into the cold frame or outdoors.
Sowing directly outdoors
Soil preparation
The successful cultivation of cauliflower requires a sunny to semi-shady location in the garden. The soil must be deeply dug before cultivation. Cauliflower is a heavy feeder and – like all types of cabbage – a deep rooter. It grows best in soils with a high to very high PH value. Clay or loess soils with a high humus content are optimal for cauliflower. Possibly. The soil must be enriched with lime. In light sandy soils, nutrient optimization with mature compost and horse manure is necessary. However, the soil then needs a longer period of rest before sowing can be carried out.
Sowing in the bed
You can sow cauliflower directly outdoors from mid-April to the beginning of June. However, the plants must then be protected from night frosts at night with a fleece or foil.
After the Ice Saints - from mid-May to the beginning of June - there is no longer any threat of frost: now you have optimal conditions for sowing directly into the bed. For one square meter you need about 1 g of cauliflower seeds.
Tips & Tricks
Cabbage must never be sown or planted in a location where cabbage has previously grown: risk of disease and pest infestation!