White, purple, yellow-green. Raw, stewed, boiled. The cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) convinces with its versatility. Like all cabbage vegetables, it is a leafy vegetable. In this article you will learn how to successfully plant this all-rounder in your garden.
location claims
The heavy feeder cauliflower prefers medium-heavy, humus-rich soil that is characterized by a high storage capacity for water and nutrients. Cultivation in sandy soil is difficult, but can be successful if watered and fertilized frequently. Due to the low storage capacity of these soils, the total amount of water and fertilizer should be divided into several portions. The cauliflower tolerates organic fertilizers such as manure or compost.
If you offer the demanding vegetables these site characteristics and sow overwintering varieties in July/August, then one awaits you
Almost year-round harvest
The choice of different varieties is a prerequisite for cultivation and harvesting from early spring to winter. "Erfurter Zwerg" is suitable for sowing from February, and "Clapton" for the summer harvest from March to May. “Walcheren Winter”, which is sown in June or July and transplanted to a wind-protected location in August, is ideal as an overwintering variety. The following year, this variety can be harvested from April. The general rule is: Approximately 4-6 weeks after sowing, you can transplant. Regular harvesting is required during the growing season for a successful harvest
maintenance
This includes regular chopping, watering and fertilizing. Nettle manure is particularly suitable. You should stop fertilizing about 4 weeks before harvest to ensure that the nitrate content of the plants remains low. It is important to regularly check the plants for pest infestation. The most important cauliflower pests include:
- Cabbage White (Pieris), this butterfly lays its eggs on the underside of the leaves. From the end of May, the hatched larvae quickly destroy large masses of leaves. The infestation is prevented by laying out bird protection nets.
- Cabbage fly (Delia radicum), mainly in July, the fly lays its eggs on the root neck. Damage is caused by the subsequent feeding on maggots, which can result in the death of young plants. Vegetable protective nets and rock dust (14.13€) scattered on the root collars prevent infestation.
- Flea beetles (Phyllotreta), these small beetles love drought and puncture the leaves of young plants. Keeping the soil moist at all times and regular hoeing prevent infestation.
Clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae) is a slime mold that causes deformation of the root and death of the plant. After an infestation, you should refrain from growing cruciferous plants in the affected bed for seven years.
tips and tricks
The cauliflower heads should not be exposed to the blazing sun. Just bend off some cauliflower leaves and place them over your head.