Organic Cauliflower Seeds

Cauliflower Goodman 15 Organic Cauliflower Seeds £1.05 123

• Quick to mature variety
• Generous crops
• Firm pure white heads
  

Sowing Instructions

Cauliflowers need a rich firm soil (neutral or slightly alkaline) in a sunny, sheltered spot.  The soil should be dug well before planting, ideally several months before, so that it has time to firm up.

Sow: can be sown from mid February (for June harvest) in pots or trays under glass.  Alternatively, seeds can be sown outdoors, 1.5cm deep and around 15cm apart from mid-March.  Successional sowings are recommended for a longer harvesting period.

Transplant:  Harden off, then plant out around 60cm apart when seedlings are large enough to handle.  Outdoor sown seedlings should also be thinned or transplanted to around 60cm apart.  Transplanted seedlings should be planted deep (up to the base of the initial seed leaves) to encourage a firm stalk.

Aftercare: Protect seedlings from birds.  Cauliflowers need lots of water, so ensure the soil doesn’t dry out.  Mulch with compost or manure a couple of weeks after transplanting. 

Harvest: From June, for seeds started early under glass, main harvest from July to September.  Cut off heads, preferably early in the morning, when they are fresh and juicy.  Start to harvest some of your caulis before they reach their full size to avoid a glut.  Cauliflowers are mature when the curd is no longer covered by the inner leaves.  Do not leave them in the ground once they have reached maturity as the heads will spread and discolour. 

Tip: To protect cauliflower heads from discolouring in sunny weather, gather up their leaves so that they cover the curd and secure with twine, or even a peg!

Storage and Cooking Tips

Cauliflower can be stored successfully for up to 3 weeks.  Instead of cutting, lift the whole plant, hang upside down in a cool garage or shed and mist spray with water every day.  Cauliflower also freezes well.  Small raw florets add a tasty crunch to salads, or try with a selection of dips.  Cauliflower is, of course, delicious when steamed or boiled lightly and served with cheese sauce.