Cauliflower cauliflower Cauliflower is a cool-season brassica grown for its compact, edible curd (the ‘head’). It is more sensitive to stress than many brassicas: irregular watering, heat spikes, cold snaps, or nutrient shortages can cause tiny premature heads (‘buttoning’) or loose ‘riced’ curds. Many modern cultivars are self-blanching (inner leaves naturally cover the head); older types may need manual blanching to keep heads white and tender. Choose earlies for summer harvest and mid/late cultivars for autumn. Maintain steady growth from germination to harvest for best quality. Growing conditions LightFull sun (6–8 hours daily). Soil typeMoisture-retentive yet well-drained, fertile loam with plenty of organic matter. Lime if pH < 6.5. Water requirementConsistent moisture, roughly 25–40 mm per week; never let the soil dry out during head formation. Nutrient requirementHeavy feeder: steady nitrogen early, then balanced feed with adequate potassium and micronutrients (boron, molybdenum). Back to plant list
