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Sow True Seed – Asheville, NC
Self-wrapping leaves protect the delicious 6-8″ white heads from heat and sunlight. Excellent choice for gardeners and market growers.
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Most cauliflower varieties require about 1.5-3 months of consistently cool weather to mature properly. Ideally, the daytime temperature while the cauliflower is maturing will be around 60ºF. This means that spring-planted cauliflower is difficult to grow in most climates without the aid of floating row covers to extend the season.
Cauliflower prefers fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. To increase the fertility of your soil, mix up to four inches of mature compost into your soil. If your soil is in particularly poor condition, also add a high-nitrogen organic fertilizer to enrich the soil. Organic fertilizers like alfalfa, cottonseed meal, and manure are good choices for planting cauliflower.
While cauliflower prefers full sun, it will tolerate some shade. Make sure you can provide at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.
Cauliflower does best when started inside and transplanted at about 4” high. This usually takes about 6-8 weeks. For a summer harvest, sow seeds 10-14 weeks before the last spring frost, planning on transplanting your seedlings into your garden beds about 4-6 weeks before the last spring frost. For a fall harvest, determine your first fall frost date and count backward 70 to 90 days (depending on variety) to figure out when you need to start your seeds. Floating row covers can extend your season on either end by several weeks.
Depending on variety, space your plants 18-24” apart in rows 36” apart.
Apply an organic mulch made of mature compost, leaves, or bark to keep weeds in check and soil temperature regulated.
Allow your plants between one and one and a half inches of water per week. cauliflower likes moist (but well-drained) soil. In particularly hot or dry conditions, increase the amount of water you feed your plants.
Use an organic, nitrogen-rich fertilizer when your cauliflower plants begin to form new leaves. Fish emulsion works well for fertilizing cauliflower. You can continue to fertilize the plants about once a week until they are ready for harvest.
Cauliflower plants have very shallow roots. If you disturb the soil you may accidentally break roots and damage your plants. If weeds develop around the plants, suffocate them with mulch instead of plucking them from the ground to avoid disturbing the roots.
As the cauliflower grows, a small “head” will begin to form at the center of its leaves (note that this is sometimes also called the “curd”). For ordinary white cauliflower, if this head is exposed to light while it is growing, it will yellow and darken. Though a darkened head of cauliflower is still edible, it is less visually appealing and will have a less-tender texture. Thus, it’s important to use a process called “blanching” to keep the head pale and white. When the head is roughly the size of an egg, bend the plant’s own leaves over the head so that it is shaded from sunlight.
If necessary, use twine or rubber bands to hold the leaves in place. Trapping moisture around the head can cause the plant to rot. Confirm the head is dry before blanching, and take care not to get any water on the head while it is bound. Don’t bind leaves so tightly around the head that air cannot reach it. Note that non-white varieties of cauliflower (like purple, green, or orange cauliflower) do not need to be blanched. Additionally, some varieties of white cauliflower are bred to be “self-blanching”, with leaves that naturally protect the head as it grows.
Cauliflower, Brassica oleracea
Pollination, insect; Life Cycle, biennial; Isolation Distance, ½ mile
A cool season biennial that produces seed in its second year. In order to preserve seed purity, Cauliflower needs to be isolated from all other Brassica oleracea, which includes other cauliflower, broccoli, kale, collards, cabbage, etc. which will be flowering at the same time. Select plants that form strong heads and don’t bolt to flower too quickly. Mature heads split into branches with yellow flowers and the seed pods turn brown. Most Brassicae are self-incompatible, meaning you will need to let several plants of one variety flower at the same time to ensure cross-pollination by insects. Follow the same harvesting processes as broccoli and cabbage.
Based in Asheville, NC, Sow True Seed has a small, dedicated staff of dirt worshippers committed to providing high quality, open-pollinated seeds in support of sustainable food production and regenerative agriculture. Founded in 2008 by lifelong gardener and food activist Carol Koury, Sow True Seed was created to preserve our shared botanical heritage and grow a new era of ecological wisdom.
Sow True Seed supports independent, regional agricultural initiatives that foster a vibrant, sustainable economy, and true food sovereignty. They are committed to growing our awareness and actions to honor the heritage of their seeds, the diverse people and places that have contributed to our collective abundance.
Based in the glorious mountains of Western North Carolina – home to a temperate rainforest and one of the most biologically diverse areas of North America – Sow True prides themselves on working with farmers in the region who ensure the survival of heirloom varieties that would otherwise become extinct.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires that seed germination rates be tested at least once a year. A “sell by date” is also required on seed packets and cannot date more than a year from the last passing germination test. Sow True Seed tests the germination rates of all seed varieties twice a year via the North Carolina Department of Agriculture to ensure passing germination rates. The sell by date is not a “use by” date; most seed varieties, stored properly, can last up to three years. Sow True Seed stores all seed varieties in a climate controlled facility that averages 50° F and 50% humidity, which are ideal seed storing conditions. For the home gardener the best way to store seeds is in the refrigerator, in a zip top bag or Mason jar, with silica packets to absorb any moisture. We do not recommend storing seeds in the freezer.
We deliver to the Greater Charlotte, NC area.
Please make sure to check that your are in our delivery area prior to ordering this product.
