Grow cauliflower in open ground is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. It is enough to comply with several requirements, because this culture, like any other, has its own “whims” and features during cultivation.

General characteristics

Cauliflower is a culture that not so long ago won the hearts of Russians - only since the 18th century. But for its composition rich in useful trace elements, it has firmly entered our lives. Growing this type of cabbage is not difficult, even easier than white cabbage, and all because it is not so whimsical.

Cauliflower is not afraid of the cold, not all pests are terrible for her, but she loves moisture, light and nitrogen. Therefore, it is possible to grow a culture in your garden and enjoy all its charms that nature has given her. You just need to make a little effort: prepare the soil, nourish it with fertilizers; grow seedlings by pretreating the seeds. Then the vegetable will delight with its taste for a long time - after all, its qualities are preserved during prolonged freezing.

Cauliflower is a type of cabbage that has flower stalks, or as they are also commonly called, heads. We use them for food. They grow on a bush that has a stem and leaves. The plant is grown in two ways: seedling and seedless. The most popular and reliable method of growing cauliflower is seedling.

This type of cabbage has an unusual root system that is close to the surface rather than deep. Therefore, it is very easy to damage it. Cauliflower differs from the rest of its relatives in that it is resistant to frost.

Like white cabbage, cauliflower has several varieties: early ripe, medium and late. There are also many species bred by breeders, which differ in appearance, taste, size. There are special varieties that are adapted to certain climatic conditions.

The most popular varieties among gardeners are those that are less whimsical, but also tasty and healthy for the body:

• "Amethyst";
• "Maliba";
• "Snowdrift";
• "Fortados"
• "Fremont";
• "Snowball";
• "Regent"
• "White Castle"

These and many other varieties bear fruit up to 90 days after planting, some as early as 55 days. Fruits grow up to 2 kg, rarely up to 1 kg. Cabbage has a snow-white color, retains its taste and useful properties for a long time after freezing.

Preparation of material for planting cauliflower in open ground

Before planting grown cauliflower seedlings in open ground, the ground must be prepared. In addition to the fact that the site must be dug up with lime mixed in, sand and peat must be added to the soil.

If previously the soil was not saturated with fertilizers, then this must be done. Usually gardeners buy superphosphate, potassium chloride and make a mixture. One part of superphosphate is taken, half of the calcium is added to it and wood ash is also added. BUT important elements the plant will help nourish the mixture, which contains potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen. You can buy them at any gardening store.

Placement of sprouts in open ground

When, nevertheless, to plant cauliflower in open ground, we will determine based on the variety of seeds:

• seedlings early varieties planted from late April to mid-May;
• mid-season varieties - from late May to mid-June;
• late - a month after sowing the seeds.

A few days before the moment when it is worth moving the cauliflower seedlings into the ground, it is important to feed the soil with a solution of superphosphate and potassium chloride. The mixture is made in the proportion of 3 g per 1 liter of water.

It is dangerous to immediately plant seedlings in the ground - they can die from an unusual environment. Before planting, the sprouts need to be hardened for a week, changing the temperature of their usual environment to the one in which they have to move.

How to grow seedlings from seeds

Purchased cauliflower seeds should be processed before planting - first they need to be placed in water at a temperature of 50 ºC for fifteen minutes. After that, the seeds are placed in cold water. After a cold bath, cauliflower seeds are soaked for 12 hours in water with trace elements. Then they are thoroughly washed and put in a cold place - you can in the refrigerator for a day.

After such a long and difficult treatment, the seeds are important to dry and can be sown. The land for them should consist of drainage, peat, manure and sawdust. Humus and sand will also be appropriate in the soil. Cauliflower seeds should be sown no deeper than half a centimeter.

Before the appearance of the first shoots in the apartment should be warm temperature within 20 ºC. After the appearance of the first shoots, the temperature can be lowered to 8 ºC. Cauliflower before germination and after it is important to water regularly warm water, loosen the soil and make sure that light falls on them.

Transfer

Moving seedlings into open ground is best planned for cloudy weather so that the sun's rays do not burn the young plant. Gardeners advise planting cauliflower seedlings in a sunny area that does not fall in the shade.

It is best if garlic or onions, legumes or grains used to grow at the site of cabbage planting. But it is not recommended to plant any types of cabbage on the planting sites of tomatoes, radishes and beets.

Before planting, the soil must be dug up since autumn. Add lime to the ground, and in the spring - compost, wood ash and mix the mixture with fertile soil.

Proper placement of seedlings

The distance that should be between each sprout is at least 30 cm. The width between each row is half a meter. These are averages, since the distance mainly depends on which variety is planted.

Seedlings are planted in the ground to a depth of the first leaves, the hole is covered with earth and pressed. After - the soil must be thoroughly watered with warm water. At first, it is better to cover early varieties with a film, since it is still cold in spring and the sprouts can freeze.

Based on the fact that cauliflower does not tolerate our climate well, whether it will give good fruits or not depends entirely on caring for it. You can care for this crop in the same way as for ordinary white cabbage. That is, to provide the plant with loose soil, regular watering, fertilizer, weeding. Do not forget that pests are madly in love with this type of vegetable. Therefore, processing from them is also included in the mandatory list of plant care procedures.

Watering

Cauliflower loves water, so it is important to regularly moisten the soil in which it grows. In the initial period after planting, you can water twice a week, then less often - once every seven days. But at the same time, the water must completely saturate the earth. You should not overdo it either - waterlogging in the soil may cause fungal diseases. It is best to observe the condition of the earth so that it is not dry, focusing on weather conditions.

top dressing

Cauliflower needs to be “fed” with fertilizers for the entire period. The best organic fertilizer for this crop is manure. It is bred in water and watered the soil under the plant. The solution is made at the rate of 0.5:10. This "elixir" needs to be watered only on the ground, but not on the plant itself.

Mineral fertilizers, which are sold in specialized stores, can also be used as top dressing. But this is done already when the bushes have grown well.

Harvesting

Cabbage heads are harvested when they reach a certain size:

• diameter 10-12 cm;
• weight from 400 to 1.3 kg.

Three months after planting, early varieties of cauliflower are harvested. There are varieties that sing already in the second month. The latest ripen in about five months.

If the fruit is harvested later, it will be overripe. From this, he will lose his unique taste and useful qualities. Also, cut fruits should not be left in the sun for a long time. Otherwise, they will deteriorate.

You need to cut cabbage from a bush very carefully. A few leaves should remain on the head. If the bush has side shoots, then they should be left in the garden - new fruits will ripen.

Storage

They store the collected heads in the cellar, placing the cabbage in plastic or wooden boxes. In this case, the boxes must be covered with foil. So cabbage can be stored for up to several months.

There is another way to permanently save all the most most useful properties cauliflower. It is perfect for those who do not have a cellar and basement. The collected inflorescences are first washed, then dried and frozen. In the freezer, you can put fresh heads of cabbage, as well as a little boiled. It is recommended to cook the inflorescences for no more than five minutes, then cool and freeze. You can keep cabbage in the freezer for up to one year.

In contact with

Cauliflower is demanding on sunlight

Temperature. At least 120-160 warm days are needed to ripen and achieve technical ripeness of the cauliflower crop, depending on the variety. Seemingly summer period the middle band is enough for this. But the difficulty of growing this type of cabbage lies in the fact that it is very sensitive to temperature fluctuations, so a lot of effort is required to protect the plantings during cold snaps and shade the beds from the scorching sun.

Landing place. Cauliflower is demanding on sunlight. Good, dense heads are tied only when grown in open, maximally lit areas. Even close proximity to tall garden crops can adversely affect the quality of the crop.

Advice! Closer to the middle of summer, when the inflorescences begin to form and ripen, break the upper leaves of the head of cabbage and “shade” the head with them - so it will remain white, will not turn yellow and will not crumble.

The best predecessors of cauliflower: potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, beets, as well as peas and other legumes. Do not plant it after "related" crops, such as radishes, turnips, radishes and cabbages of other species, after which pathogenic bacteria and fungal spores can remain in the soil.

The soil. Heavy, clay or poor soils are not suitable for growing cauliflower. These plantings produce crops on sandy loam garden soil, well drained with good moisture and air circulation. To improve the nutritional value of cabbage beds, it is better to use organic fertilizers: rotted manure or mullein, humus, compost masses, non-acidic peat.

Roller Growing Tips

Humidity. Cauliflower plantings need regular watering, especially in the early stages of cultivation. But at the same time, stagnant water in the soil is often the main reason for the development of fungal diseases, so the frequency and volume of irrigation are set depending on weather conditions and the amount of precipitation. As a rule, in the second half of summer, when the crop ripens, the cabbage is no longer watered.

Planting cauliflower for the full development and high-quality ripening of the crop requires regular feeding. A rather long growing season gradually depletes the soil, and the culture at different stages needs additional micro-macroelements.

If you doubt the nutritional value of the soil, then it will not be superfluous to feed the cauliflower for the third time

The first feeding is carried out about ten days after planting the seedlings or by the time when there are 5-6 true leaves on the sockets. To do this, use liquid organic matter - an infusion of mullein, bird droppings or herbal infusion added to water for irrigation in appropriate dosages.

Two weeks later, a second top dressing is carried out, already with the addition of mineral fertilizers: infusion wood ash, bone meal or a finished complex preparation - nitroammofoski.

If you doubt the nutritional value of the soil, then it will not be superfluous to feed the cauliflower for the third time, at the beginning of the formation of the head.

Video about planting cabbage and care

Growing most varieties of cauliflower is often complicated by the fact that temperature fluctuations adversely affect the quality of the future crop. It is bad for her and possible cold snaps below 10 ° C, and hot weather when the air warms up above 26-28 ° C. During such periods, the growth and development of plantings is inhibited, the density and taste of the emerging heads deteriorate.

Sowing seeds for seedlings is carried out about a month before the expected planting date.

Based on this, and also taking into account the weather characteristics of a particular region, apply various methods growing cauliflower - through seedlings, sowing in open ground or planting under temporary shelter. Let's take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of each.

• seedling method

Sowing seeds for seedlings is carried out about a month before the expected planting dates, usually this is the period from late March to mid-April. Seeds are sown in loose, moist and nutritious soil in separate cups or in a common container, deepening them by about 1-1.5 cm. Crops are covered with a piece of glass or film and placed in warm place for germination. After the emergence of seedlings, the shelter is removed, and the container is transferred to the windowsill, providing the outlets with maximum illumination. Care for growing seedlings consists in timely watering and spraying, and a week before planting, they begin to harden it.

When the rosettes form 4-6 true leaves and a positive average daily temperature of at least 12 ° C is established, the cabbage is planted in open ground according to a pattern of 70 cm between rows and about 30 cm between holes.

This method of growing cauliflower, although quite troublesome, is very effective. There is no other way to grow cauliflower and get a good harvest in temperate weather conditions. But in the southern regions, where summer heat comes already at the beginning of May, there is no need for seedlings and cabbage is sown immediately on the beds.

Video clip about planting and growing

• Sowing seeds in open ground

The advantages of this method, compared with seedlings, are obvious:

• it is less labor intensive;
• plants get enough sunlight and do not stretch;
• rosettes do not require a transplant, which for some period inhibits their growth and development.

As soon as the weather settles and the threat of return frosts blows over, they start sowing cauliflower. The most rational layout is double rows of plantings with wide row spacing for ease of care. Between plants leave 25 cm for early and early ripening varieties and 40 cm for heads of late ripening. Usually, 2-3 seeds are sown in each hole, and after germination, one of the strongest and most promising plants is left. Further care for planting the same - watering, top dressing and timely removal of weeds.

​Related Articles​

Site preparation

Regardless of the method of planting, do not forget that cauliflower is planted on the site after predecessors such as legumes or root crops, onions, early potatoes or early varieties of cucumber. When grown as a re-crop, cauliflower is placed after early green crops and winter root crops.

Pest control. Dusting plants with wood ash from a cross flea, spraying with herbal infusion from caterpillars (a decoction of tomato tops) and other activities.

Landing methods

To speed up germination, it would be correct to distribute the soaked seeds on wet sawdust and place these containers in open packages from polyethylene. Moisturize as needed. When the seeds hatch, pour a layer of fertile soil about 3-4 mm onto the sawdust. When shoots appear, containers with cauliflower seedlings are freed from the film and transferred to glazed loggias, covering them warmly for the night. After that, the seedlings should be transplanted into the greenhouse as soon as possible. During picking and planting, seedlings are buried in the ground and well watered with water (warm). Further, the seedlings are grown under the cover of thin material in greenhouse beds.

A good cauliflower can only be grown in conditions of sufficient light - it does not tolerate partial shade. This explains why during the period of growing seedlings there is a need for additional lighting.

Sowing seeds

In the photo, seedlings in the ground

Ready-made containers filled with soil are covered with plastic wrap and left until sowing.

Important: even sowing seeds of early varieties in several stages, it was noticed that best harvest gives seedlings planted at the age of 20-25 days.

Growing seedlings

from the beginning of March to the beginning of April

Cauliflower Planting Scheme

Sowing dates for seeds depending on varieties:

Like the closest relatives of the culture, cauliflower is very moisture-loving. The optimum soil moisture should be at least 70 percent, drying out is not allowed. This is especially important during the growing season. Even a slight drying of the soil can lead to the formation of a small head or even loss of the crop, as it quickly begins to bloom. Temperature control is also very important. Gardeners emphasize that cauliflower is much more capricious than other varieties. Landing and care involve constant temperature control. A long decrease in it to + 10 degrees and below leads to a rapid transition to the flowering phase without the formation of a dense head.

Seedless growing method: for which regions is it suitable

Cauliflower surpasses even white cabbage in its nutritional properties. And how beautiful it looks in a salad bowl! It contains a huge amount useful substances, vitamins C, B1, B2, PP. If you do not tolerate white cabbage due to its high fiber content, then it's time to think about how to garden plot cauliflower settled. It is digested much faster and is considered a dietary vegetable. Boiled white heads, in soups and side dishes, in pickled form will be an excellent vitamin supplement to your table. The topic of our article today is planting cauliflower, so let's go directly to the agrotechnical subtleties.​

For the spring-summer cultivation of cauliflower, the soil is prepared in the fall. After harvesting the previous crop, it is carefully treated with a hoe to a depth of 6-10 cm. Then the site is dug up, introducing 7-8 kg of manure or peat-dung compost per 1 sq.m, provided that they were not brought under the predecessors. In the spring, before planting, mineral fertilizers are applied to the soil (ammonium nitrate - 30 g, potassium chloride - 20 g and 50 g of superphosphate per 1 sq. M) and re-dig it up, carefully loosening the lumps.

Cauliflower: planting and care

How to grow cauliflower?

Nutrition

If we grow cauliflower seedlings in pots, then before transplanting it into the ground, it should certainly be prepared:

First dressing

Cauliflower is very capricious in terms of soil quality. Only light, moisture-absorbing, fertile soils with a neutral reaction are suitable for getting high yields.​

Second and subsequent top dressing

When planting at the end of the month, the harvest should be expected no earlier than the end of September, so later planting dates are irrational for the Russian climate of the middle zone.

Diseases and pests

A photo of a cauliflower seedling

Harvesting cauliflower

But it’s also impossible to be late with planting late varieties (unless you live in a southern resort climate), otherwise well-formed heads can be damaged by the first autumn frosts.

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Planting cauliflower for seedlings - terms and rules for performing work

​35-50 days​

Variety name and hybrids

As already mentioned, cauliflower is more demanding on soil nutrition than white cabbage. This should be known at the stage of growing seedlings. By the way, if you grow it in pots, then sowing can be done as early as February. Then in June you will already have cauliflower. Planting dates are greatly shifted if you plan to sow seeds directly into the ground. Then you need to wait until the end of April, and then, if you have a greenhouse. It can be sown in unprotected soil only in May, when the seedlings are not threatened by frost. In case of a strong drop in temperature, a covering material should be used. Planting cauliflower seeds implies regular top dressing, only in this case a good harvest can be expected.

Planting cauliflower is carried out on pre-prepared beds, while agricultural technology must comply certain rules. In autumn, after the main crop is harvested, the soil begins to be prepared for spring sowing. To do this, it is loosened, removing weeds and insect larvae. Approximately two weeks later, fertilizers are applied to it - 5 kg of organic, 30 g of potash and phosphorus fertilizers are used per square meter. After fertilizing, the bed is dug up on a spade bayonet and left to rest until spring.

Seedling growing schedule

Seedlings of early cauliflower are planted according to the scheme 70x25 cm, mid-season - 70x30 cm. Sometimes the aisles are made narrower (50-60 cm), and the distances in the rows are wider (40-45 cm). When planting seedlings, a pinch of ash is added to each hole, thoroughly mixing it with the ground. Then 1 liter of water is poured into the hole and plants are planted. After planting, seedlings are regularly watered until they adapt to the planting site. A week later, dead plants are replaced with new ones.

In the fall, undamaged cabbage with a head 5 cm in diameter is dug up with big ball soil and transfer to greenhouses, into furrows 15 cm deep (pre-watered). Set plants close to each other and continue growing. At a temperature of +10°C, it will take about a month to grow, and at +4…+5°C - at least two months.​ Site selection - the best predecessors potatoes and beets are considered this crop.

This plant, like all cabbage plants, loves moisture, however over watering can stop its development.

An old English proverb says: "The most best flowers are cabbage flowers. Cauliflower is loved and appreciated all over the world for its taste and extraordinary nutritional value. If you are wondering if you are growing this valuable vegetable correctly, then this information is for you.​	Early varieties are sown first after March 8-10, but you can rely on these dates if your climatic conditions, because by the time of planting, the seedlings should be about 30 days old. Therefore, if there is confidence that by mid-April the snow will already melt and the earth will warm up, start sowing, if not, then it is better to postpone for a week.	So, taking into account the above recommendations, you can draw up an approximate work schedule.	mid-April to mid-May	maturation period
Ten days after picking, it is necessary to feed. Planting cauliflower in the ground involves the introduction of organic matter after the first thinning. The optimal solution for this is mullein or a mixture of 20 g ammonium nitrate, 20 g of superphosphate and 10 g of potash fertilizer. Consumption - approximately 10 liters per square meter. The tasks of the first feeding are to optimize the growth and development of the plant.​	With the onset of heat, the soil is loosened and urea is added - about 20 g per square meter. Do not forget: planting cauliflower is done in dense soil, that is, you do not need to re-dig it up. If you did not have time to dig up the ground in the fall, then you will have to do it in the spring, but then before planting it will have to be compacted, lightly tamped. This affects the quality of the heads: compliance with this rule is necessary for them to be dense and tasty.​	Planting seeds in open ground is carried out at a depth of 1 cm. Sowing, as a rule, is carried out with pre-soaked seeds. When the first true leaf appears, the plants are thinned out and left between them 15-20 cm (with a row spacing of 70 cm) or 35-40 (with a row spacing of 50-60 cm). Further care for sowing is the same as caring for seedlings.	Cauliflower - annual vegetable plant cabbage family. Homeland - the Mediterranean, is also widespread in Western and Northern Europe. Cauliflower was brought to Russia from Europe in the 18th century; it is cultivated everywhere in small volumes. Valued for its precocity and taste, and for not too complex care. The heads (modified inflorescences) of plants containing many vitamins and mineral salts are used as food. The use of cauliflower is very useful for gastrointestinal and cardiovascular diseases.	The scheme of planting cauliflower in the ground. The distance for mid-early varieties of cabbage between the holes is about 50 cm.
If you take into account all these features, you can grow an excellent crop.	A feature of cauliflower is the possibility of growing it throughout the warm period of the year.	Experienced gardeners advise not to sow all the seeds from the bag at once, it is better to do this in two or three stages with a break of 3-4 days. Growing up together, seedlings of the same variety will differ slightly in terms of maturation, which makes it possible to save on the purchase different seeds, but at the same time extend the ripening period of the crop.	While there is no work in the garden for weather reasons, you can start preparing the container and soil for seedlings. If you prefer to prepare the soil yourself, then take:	Mid-ripening: Patriotic, White Beauty, Flora Blanca, Yako and others
Sowing seeds for seedlings	Feeding should be repeated after about two weeks. Planting cauliflower seedlings in open ground is also accompanied by a second fertilization (the first was already done during picking). The composition of the nutrient mixture may vary depending on the preferences of the gardener. An infusion of mullein or chicken manure is optimal - 0.5 liters per 10 liters of water. In addition, you can purchase any concentrated extract of cow or horse manure in the store.​	Planting cauliflower is most often performed seedling way. However, today gardeners often resort to open sowing seeds in the ground. Do not forget that the maturation of the heads occurs quickly enough, and in order to harvest throughout the summer, sowing seeds can be done in 3-4 terms with a break of 20 days. For the earliest planting, seedlings are grown in greenhouses and greenhouses, and summer and autumn crops are made directly into the ground. Do not forget that when the air temperature drops, the seedlings must be protected with a film.	During the growing period, at least 5-6 irrigations are carried out (at least 30 l / sq.m.). A prerequisite, especially during the formation of heads, is the loosening of the soil, which is carried out after each watering or rain. Care consists in processing row spacing and hilling plants. If necessary, complete top dressing mineral fertilizer.​	The root system of cauliflower is located close to the soil surface and is less developed than the root system. white cabbage. After the formation of a rosette of 25-30 leaves, an inflorescence is formed, which has the form of a dense head of green, yellow, white or purple flowers. In general, cauliflower is more demanding to grow than other types of cabbage. responsive to unfavourable conditions and care, although in general it is not demanding on heat, but is less resistant to low temperatures than the same white cabbage. With their prolonged exposure, plant growth slows down, and small heads are formed used for food. Optimum temperature for the formation of dense and large heads - 15-20 degrees.
Introducing nutrients. Digging up the soil in autumn with the introduction of potassium and phosphorus at 50 g per m2 and humus compost (about 5 buckets per 1 m2). A very valuable fertilizer is poplar leaf organic matter, which can be stocked up in large quantities in autumn.	How to properly prepare the seeds? In order for the seeds to give friendly shoots, do not neglect the process of preparing them for sowing seedlings.	Vitamins of groups B and C are present in this plant in more than in white cabbage and its other relatives. The increased content of potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc makes cauliflower an indispensable product in dietary and clinical nutrition.	Shoots appear relatively quickly and it is important not to miss the moment in order to lower the temperature to 10-12 ° C in time and put the boxes on the windowsill for maximum illumination. These measures will help prevent seedlings from stretching, but for the further formation of bushes after 5 days, the temperature regime is set at optimal rates of 13-15 ° C.	2 parts of humus;

126-135 days

Seedling age

Pests include aphids and cabbage butterflies. Get rid of them by mechanical assembly or chemical treatment. But remember that cabbage absorbs absolutely everything that gets on it. In early spring you need to treat the planting with antifungal drugs. Phytobacteria and fungi can severely spoil or completely destroy your crop. Due to the susceptibility of cauliflower to various diseases, many turn out to be from this healthy vegetable, but in vain, because high-quality, modern drugs allow you to solve these problems.​

There are a huge number of varieties on the market today. Early maturing plants are perfect for growing in protected ground. Until recently, good cauliflower was grown only in the south, but today it is available everywhere. But even in a greenhouse, if the weather conditions are too cool, heads can grow smaller than usual. Mid-season cauliflower works best. Planting seedlings will allow you to harvest an early harvest, and sowing in a garden bed will also allow you to harvest the second and third. Late varieties usually do not have time to ripen in a cool climate.

• In order to grow a full-fledged crop, it is mandatory to shade the cauliflower heads during their intensive formation.
• At temperatures above 25 degrees, small and loose heads are formed, especially with insufficient watering at this time. Beyond temperature environment, cauliflower is demanding on lighting conditions, especially during the period of growing seedlings. Under conditions of long daylight hours, the formation of plant heads is accelerated, but subsequently they grow and flowering shoots form.
• Around mid-May, cabbage is transplanted into the ground. By this time, 4 to 6 true leaves should form and the root system should be sufficiently developed.
• What does it include?
• It contains more protein, and very little fiber - this allows it to be used in the diet of even infants and those suffering from gastrointestinal diseases.
• A couple of weeks after germination, the seedlings are ready for picking. The day before, transfer the seedlings to a heat of about 21-23 ° C, and after transplanting, return them to their original coolness. This will help young bushes to survive the pick more easily and recover faster in a new place.
• 2 parts of garden land;
• from the first decade of April to the first decade of May

Landing dates in open ground

It begins in July - early varieties are harvested at this time. The latest, ripen in August - September. When harvesting, one must be guided by the size and density of the head. In addition, if the head turns white, this also indicates its ripeness. Most often, as soon as the fork reaches a diameter of 8 cm, it is time to cut it. Overripe badly affects the taste. If the head begins to crumble, this is also a signal for immediate cutting. Cabbage can be pickled, and it will be stored in the refrigerator for a long time as ready cold appetizer. This tasty and healthy dish will provide the body with vitamins and pleasantly diversify the menu.​

The first task is to grow an early harvest for summer salads, in which cauliflower fits perfectly. Planting for seedlings is carried out in compliance with next rule. To get friendly shoots and healthy seedlings, you need to select only large seeds. Before sowing, the following procedure is performed: the seeds are wrapped in a cloth and dipped in hot water. It should not be heated to a boil, best option- 50 degrees. Now the activated seeds are cooled in cold water and soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate for 8 hours.

In addition, the top two sheets are tied over the head or broken.

Artificial creation of shortened daylight conditions leads to the formation of denser heads and prevents the formation of flowering shoots.

The holes are dug according to the scheme, which depends on the size of future plants. Usually, holes with parameters of 70x25 cm are used for early varieties, and 70x35 cm for mid-season varieties. The holes should be made deep so that the plant is in some depression after planting to simplify feeding and further watering the seedlings. Before planting, a couple of handfuls of wood ash, 2 tbsp. spoons of complex fertilizer (for example, "Kemira") and a couple of handfuls of humus. Everything should be thoroughly mixed in the well.

Calibration and sorting of seeds by size. By planting the largest seeds, you can increase the yield by a third.

Cauliflower is one of the few vegetables that retains its full taste and nutritional qualities when frozen, so it can be successfully consumed all year round. This explains its popularity.

This month is already beginning to pamper us with the first sunny days, and here it is already possible to start preparing a greenhouse or hotbeds. Growing seedlings on windowsills can be especially important for the northern regions or to get the earliest possible production. In most cases, much better results are shown by sowing seeds in closed ground. Even if you do not have a stationary greenhouse, a hastily assembled greenhouse under a dense film (150 microns) or white non-woven agrofiber in two additions is quite suitable for cabbage seedlings.

1 part coarse sand (if the earth from your site is clay);

​35-40 days​

May cabbage care

Early ripening varieties: Opal, Early Gribovskaya 1355, Snezhinka, Snowball 123, etc. In our climate, some garden beds begin with growing on the windowsill. Only in this way it is possible to obtain a full-fledged crop of heat-loving vegetables. Therefore, it is worth familiarizing yourself in more detail with the rules, conditions, and also the terms when cauliflower is planted for seedlings.

This preparation ensures excellent germination. Seeds ready for planting are sown in special boxes. The soil can be any, but a mixture of peat and humus has proven itself best. In addition, 15 g of superphosphate and potassium sulfate must be added to a bucket of soil mixture. In practice, cauliflower seeds are also planted in open ground. On slightly moistened and compacted soil, grooves 0.5 mm deep are marked, into which the seeds are laid out. They are covered with the same mixture and lightly covered with earth.

This is done so that the head does not fall apart and retains its color.

Of all the cabbages, the cauliflower is the most picky about the composition of the soil, its fertility. The need for nutrients is twice as high as that of the white head. In addition to the main mineral and organic fertilizers used, it urgently needs fertilizing with manganese, magnesium, boron and molybdenum. With a lack of trace elements, there is a weak development of the heads, hollowness of the stalk, the leaves are deformed and the heads themselves usually rot.

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Properly growing good cauliflower

The soil in cassettes or containers with seedlings is watered abundantly. Solitary plants require their root systems to be carefully spread out. Those seedlings that grew in cassettes or pots are placed directly with the ground in holes. About a liter of water is poured into each hole, and the soil around is mulched and loosened. Cover immediately thin material to protect against excessive exposure to the sun and frost, as well as pests during the survival period of seedlings.

Disinfection. If you grow plants only the most in a safe way, then non-toxic substances should be used. An excellent option is a solution of garlic (garlic and water in a ratio of 1: 3) or heating the seeds for 20 minutes in water at a temperature of 50 ° C.

properties of cauliflower

How to grow cauliflower on your plot? How to do it right in order to get a rich harvest of such a valuable product for your family? In a greenhouse or greenhouse, the soil warms up much faster, especially if the space is allotted with south side plot and maximum sun exposure. Therefore, by April 12-14, mass sowing can begin. The convenience of this method also lies in the fact that in parallel with cauliflower, seeds of other varieties can also be sown - white cabbage, broccoli, kohlrabi or Beijing, because the conditions for growing seedlings are practically the same.

1 part dry non-acidic peat;

from the 20th of May to the middle of June

80-110 days

1. All varieties of cauliflower have a one-year development cycle. In the year of planting, a head is formed, consisting of many short shoots tightly pressed to each other, ending in the beginnings of inflorescences. Later, long stems are produced from the parting head, at the end of which brushes with yellow flowers. It is these flowers that subsequently form pods with seeds. In our temperate continental climate, the average period of head ripening from germination to technical maturity is three to four months, and it will take more than six months for seeds to ripen. Based on this, the necessity and rationality of the seedling method of growing becomes clear, because cauliflower, unlike traditional white cabbage varieties, does not tolerate low temperatures. Even lowering to 10°C will have a negative effect on yields, especially during head formation. But at the same time, hot weather is undesirable, if the temperature rises above 26 ° C, then the growth and development of the heads slows down and their quality suffers.
2. The optimum temperature for cabbage is +20 degrees. Under these conditions, seedlings will appear in about 4-5 days. The main danger lurks here: cabbage tends to quickly stretch, therefore, immediately after germination, the air temperature is reduced to +6 degrees. After about 5 days, it is raised to 15 degrees - this helps to acclimatize. The easiest way to fulfill this condition is if your seedlings are in pots, but planting cauliflower seeds in open ground leaves room for maneuver. The film covering the greenhouse is removed or slightly opened from one edge. In this way, the temperature is regulated.​
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Growing Features

Currently, about 10 varieties of cauliflower have been released. Early ripe (vegetation period - 85-100 days) - Movir 74 (suitable for canning), Early Gribovskaya 1355, Snezhinka. Mid-early (vegetation period - 95-120 days) - Domestic (suitable for canning), Moscow Canning and Guarantee. Late-ripening (vegetation period - 175-230 days) - Adler winter 679, Adler spring and Sochi.​

Watering. After planting, watering is required daily, thereafter at least twice a week. Both the drying of the soil and the ingress of water on the emerging heads are unacceptable.

Soaking the seeds in a solution containing trace elements for 7-8 hours (0.1 l of water, 0.3 g of molybdenum, 0.05 g of potassium permanganate, 0.3 g of boric acid).

Growing any cultivated plant begins with the selection of a good variety. This choice depends primarily on the personal preferences of the gardener. What should be considered?​

In the photo, sowing seedlings in the ground

Spatula for seedlings;

Late varieties and hybrids: Cortes F1, Consista, Amerigo F1, Adler winter, Sochi and others

from the middle to the end of March

1. Photo of cauliflower
2. If you are growing seedlings, then you have to pick seedlings when they are 8-10 days old. Before the procedure, the soil should be slightly moistened. Remember that excessive moisture in pots leads to diseases of the seedlings. Immediately after picking, seedlings must be fed. It takes about 45-50 days to prepare seedlings. Bushes ready for planting must have at least 5 true leaves and a well-developed root system. Be sure to harden the seedlings, accustom them to the sun, cold and temperature changes. To do this, before planting, the seedlings begin to take out into the street or leave before open balcony. It is advisable for the last few days to completely identify the plants in the greenhouse. If the street is cool at night, then the film can not be removed.
3. Proper care is not only cultivation, but also competent harvesting. Heads of cauliflower are harvested when they reach sufficient size. From 1 sq.m of landings, 2 or more kilograms of heads are removed. Cut the heads together with 3-4 rosette leaves. Plants that do not have time to ripen before the end of the harvesting period are pulled out along with the roots and used for growing them. To do this, they must have heads with a diameter of about 5 cm and at least 20 leaves.

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How to grow seedlings

Feeding. 3 top dressings per season are needed:

These methods will help grow strong seedlings.

Variety (cauliflower inflorescences are either white or pale cream, or yellow, greenish, pinkish, and even purple). In "colored" varieties, the specific cabbage taste is less pronounced, which some people like more.

So, for the first April sowing, cauliflower of early and medium ripening is suitable. It is better to sow in rows, according to varieties, so that later it would be more convenient to plant growing seedlings. Seedlings appear on the 5th-8th day, and from that moment on, the temperature in the greenhouse must be controlled. The success of the harvest in the form of a large and dense head begins precisely at the age of the seedlings, and temperatures above 14 ° C contribute to its premature, but, as a rule, unpromising formation. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly ventilate the covered ground beds during the daytime in order to reduce the temperature. At night, it is imperative to close the crops so that possible frosts do not harm.

capacity for sowing;

Transplant to the ground

145-170 days

​25-45 days​

Thus, the results of the work of gardeners are more dependent on the temperature regime. All other conditions for the successful cultivation of cauliflower for seedlings can be created independently - to optimize the level of moisture, improve the quality and change the type of soil, provide fertilizer and protect the crop from diseases and pests.​

For planting plants in the ground, choose the evening or morning time. Usually seedlings are well watered the day before. In dry and hot weather, it does not take root well, so consider in advance how you can shade delicate plants. You can refuse artificial shading only three days after landing. Planting cauliflower in open ground is done in a certain order, earlier varieties can be planted closer, and later varieties further apart, since they are more bushy. The optimal location is 70 x 40 cm, you should not thicken, as this affects the yield, you will not get good heads in this case.​

For rearing, they are placed in heated greenhouses or greenhouses cleared of biofuel, placing 35-40 plants per 1 sq.m. Then the plants are covered with shields, mats, black film and the temperature in the greenhouses is maintained at 5 degrees. Greenhouses, as it gets colder, are insulated with sawdust or other improvised means. Such a crop is harvested in December or January.

The conditions for growing cauliflower and caring for it are almost the same as for growing white cabbage seedlings. Seeds of early varieties are sown in seedling boxes installed in heated greenhouses or other heated premises. For each seedling box consume about 2-3 g of seeds prepared for sowing. It is recommended to soak the seeds, for which they are placed in a gauze bag filled with 0.5 volume and soaked in clean water at room temperature for 10-12 hours. The soil is moistened before sowing and the seeds are sown to a depth of no more than 1 cm. After planting the seeds, the sowing is mulched with a thin layer of sand.

14 days after disembarkation - with a solution of mullein.

Technology for growing cauliflower

1. Poor lighting, too dry air and high temperatures are factors that make it difficult to grow seedlings at home and lead to the formation of small, undeveloped cabbage inflorescences. It is best to plant the prepared seeds in heated greenhouses or hotbeds already in early to mid-April. It is much more convenient to plant 2-3 seeds in separate pots or cassettes: the labor costs for transplanting are reduced and the roots of the plants are not damaged, therefore, there is no delay in development. At the same time, weaker and poorly developed specimens are preliminarily removed.
2. Maturing terms. Early varieties (Alrani, Fruernte, white perfection NK F1) and mid-early (Yarik F1, Bianca, Amethyst F1 with a purple head) are preferable, as late varieties may not ripen due to cold weather.​
   1. The first days of May for most gardeners in the middle lane is the official start of garden work, because the sun is already hot and the earth has warmed up. It's time to plant the grown seedlings of early varieties of cauliflower. The planting pattern can be in rows or in a checkerboard pattern, the main thing is to keep a distance between plants of 60-70 cm, and also do not forget about the generous watering of the holes and the desirable mulching of the beds.
   2. atomizer;
   3. end of May to mid June
3. from the beginning of April to the beginning of May
4. Cauliflower seeds germinate quite quickly, and the period of plant formation is short, compared with other heat-loving crops. Therefore, it is not worth rushing to sow seedlings, because overgrown, stretched bushes are less promising in their development, and their yield is lower.

However, radishes, dill and lettuce can serve as a bed filler. Due to the fact that these plants ripen and harvest quickly, they will not harm the main planting. Seedlings of cauliflower are planted so as not to fill up the apical bud. The earth around the young plant is well compacted, watered and covered with a layer of soil so that a crust does not form.

You can also grow cauliflower heads in basements or cellars. In this case, the plants are tied and hung on trellises with their roots up. At the end of the growing process, the mass of cauliflower heads reaches 0.5 kg, and the diameter is 15-20 cm.

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Cauliflower: growing, care, harvesting

About two weeks after germination, seedlings are picked. seedlings of the most early dates plantings are grown in peat-humus pots. Seedlings of later dates can also be grown in a potless way. To do this, seedlings dive into the peat-humus soil of greenhouse beds or into seedling boxes.

After 2 weeks - mineral (complex) fertilizers.

Good quality seedlings may well grow at home. How to grow cauliflower seedlings at home?

Productivity. Cabbage inflorescences can reach a weight of 350 to 1000 g.

Video about growing cauliflower Also in May, varieties of late ripening cauliflower are sown and now this can be done in open ground.

fungicides.

​30-35 days​

Cauliflower: growing seedlings

Early varieties and hybrids: Nautius F1, Movir 74, Express MS, etc.

To more accurately define optimal time planting, you should familiarize yourself with the varietal characteristics of the purchased seeds and take into account the weather conditions of your region.​

To begin with, it is worth noting that planting cauliflower in open ground has an undeniable advantage. Overgrown seedlings reduce the yield and worsen the quality of products, otherwise you do not risk anything: the plants will develop as they should, in accordance with their biological clock.

That's all the secrets - nothing complicated.

Growing cauliflower outdoors

When 2-3 true leaves are formed, plants are fed with a solution of potassium or ammonium nitrate, for which 5 g of ammonia and 15 g are diluted in a bucket of water. potassium nitrate. When 3-4 leaves are formed on the plants, foliar top dressing is carried out, spraying with a solution boric acid and molybdic acid ammonium (2 g per 10 liters of water). Seedlings are watered rarely, but plentifully, after watering the room is ventilated. About two weeks before planting in open ground, the seedlings are gradually hardened off, accustoming the plants to the outside temperature. Seedlings are ready for planting at the age of 45-50 days. By this time, the plants should have at least 4-5 leaves.

At the beginning of tying heads - potassium sulfate.

In parallel with the work on caring for the beds, the planting of seedlings of the next stages of sowing continues. In order not to get confused in terms and varieties, the time of landing on permanent place can be determined by the plant itself - the age in the 4-6 leaf phase will be optimal in terms of survival and the growing season.

All soil components are thoroughly mixed and disinfected. To do this, you need to thoroughly warm the soil in an oven or microwave, but although this is a fairly effective and fast disinfection process, it stops many due to the release of a characteristic odor. Therefore, simply shed the soil with a solution of potassium permanganate or use fungicide preparations. Disinfection is necessary in order to reduce the likelihood of the spread of fungal infections, which often affect seedlings and often lead to their death. from the end of June to the middle of July 115-125 days

Video about cauliflower care

Harvest Secrets

Planting cauliflower seeds is best suited for dry, southern regions. But with the advent of early ripe varieties, this method is practiced by all gardeners, up to Siberia. The root system in this case grows less branched, but penetrates deeper into the soil. Before sowing, markings are made directly on the bed with a distance between rows of 45-60 cm, depending on the characteristics of the variety or hybrid, as well as on the fertility of the soil. When the seedlings produce their first true leaves, thinning is necessary. 15 cm are left between plants in a row. When the seedlings release six true leaves each, thinning is repeated, and again an interval of 15 cm should remain between the plants. to another place.​

Cauliflower heads are used fresh, boiled, fried. They are also pickled, used to make soups, casseroles, side dishes and salads.​

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Loosening the soil and hilling - after each top dressing and watering. Loosening can be replaced by mulching the soil with sawdust, fallen leaves, or something similar.

Some successful gardeners claim to grow cauliflower in stages. This means that the seeds are planted in pots at the beginning of April, at the end of April and at the end of May. What does it give? This vegetable ripens very amicably. Therefore, in order to lengthen the production time of fresh produce, sowing is carried out at intervals of three weeks. A phased harvest is being formed, and the last batch of cauliflower can be grown in the basement even with the onset of cold weather.

JLady.ru Caring for peppers in the open field Potato planting and care in the open field

It is not difficult to master the cultivation of cauliflower in the open field, but your family will be provided with a tasty and healthy product. The main problem that many gardeners face is that a dense large inflorescence is not obtained. Each culture must be approached individually, proper fit and good care will help the Mediterranean guest to get comfortable in unusual conditions.

Features of the cultivation of cauliflower

Although cauliflower came to our dachas from the warm Mediterranean, it perfectly adapted to the cold climate of the Urals, Siberia, Leningrad region. Some gardeners complain that the culture is very capricious, gives poor yields. This happens if you do not know what conditions are necessary for plants, how to properly care for plantings, how to grow seedlings from seeds. Learn some growing secrets and you won't have any problems.

Cauliflower is not adapted to live in the conditions of white nights; for development, it needs a sufficient duration of both light and dark hours of the day. In conditions of constant illumination, a dense head is not obtained, the peduncles are drawn out and lose their taste. AT northern regions it is necessary to calculate the sowing dates so that the ripening of the forks does not fall in June and the first half of July. It is impossible to wait for a tasty harvest even with poor watering, when the plants suffer from thirst.

Cauliflower does not require much heat, but it does not like too cold summers. If the temperature does not rise above +15⁰, the forks will be small, poorly developed. The most suitable thermal regime is from + 15⁰ to + 20⁰. In extreme heat, shade the plants, spray them with water. When growing in a greenhouse, do not forget to ventilate the plantings.

in warm regions proper care will help to get 2 or even 3 crops per season from seeds. To achieve this result, you need to choose early-ripening varieties, for example, Goat Dereza. Last landings, most likely, they will not have time to ripen in open ground. Many forks will have to be grown in a greenhouse or greenhouse with good shelter.

Good yields give the following varieties:

• "Early Gribovskaya";
• "Movir";
• "Alpha";
• "Precocious".

Sowing seeds for seedlings

To get strong plants, you need to provide seedlings with proper care from the first days. Accurately calculate the time of sowing. Seedlings should be transplanted after about a month and a half. Find out from the weather forecast when in the greenhouse or on outdoors the right temperature will be established, and start sowing the seeds. Pour the grains into a cloth bag and hold them in a container of water at room temperature for 12 hours.

Pour expanded clay to the bottom of the container for drainage, then fill it with earthen mixture. Soil for sowing seeds can be purchased at the store or prepared independently. One of the good ones:

• garden land - 35%;
• peat - 30%;
• chernozem - 30%;
• sand - 5%.

Young seedlings often suffer from blackleg. To protect the seedlings, plant the seed to a depth of 1 cm, and then cover the entire surface of the soil with a thin layer of sand. This material will draw out excess moisture from the soil, and pathogens of fungal diseases will not affect plantings. Cover the container with a special lid or film and place in a warm place.

First of all, a powerful root system should develop. Immediately after the emergence of seedlings from seeds, keep planting at a temperature not higher than + 10⁰. The growth of the aerial part will slow down, and the roots will develop well. After about a week, move the containers to a room with a temperature of about +15⁰. Now it is necessary that the sprouts become strong, do not stretch. In early spring, plantings may lack light, especially if the windows face north. Include above container fluorescent lamp and surround it with reflective screens.

How to grow strong seedlings

So, planting cauliflower was successful. 10 days after germination, seedlings should be dived into separate cups. Take deep containers so that both the root and the stem to the leaves fit into the ground. After the appearance of the third leaf, the seedlings need to be fed with special fertilizer or dissolved in a bucket of water 15 g of potash and 5 g of ammonium nitrate and water the ground.

The second top dressing will be needed after the appearance of the next leaf. From time to time, planting should be sprayed from a spray bottle with a weak solution of boric acid. When the fifth leaf is formed on the seedlings, it is ready for relocation to the garden. Do not overexpose the seedlings indoors, overgrown plants do not tolerate transplantation well, they cannot take root for a long time, they get sick. One can only dream of a good harvest, no care will help the seedling to recover.

It will be a great stress for plants if they are immediately warm room relocated to open ground. A week and a half before the transplant, start taking out the containers for Fresh air. The first time, hold them outside for several hours during the warmest time, gradually increase the time of "walks". Before planting, do not water the plants for several days, moisten the soil abundantly only on the day of relocation to the garden.

Landing in open ground

Without good lighting, a rich harvest cannot be obtained. Select a sunny area for the cabbage plantation. Weakness cauliflower - superficial and poorly developed root system. The most fertile composition should be in top layer, no deeper than 40 cm. In the fall, when digging, add organic and mineral fertilizers to the soil, and add lime in case of an acidic reaction.

The distance in the garden both between rows and between medium-sized plants, for example, the Koza Dereza variety, should be 0.5 m. Cabbage will take up a lot of space, but you can grow lettuce next to it, or. The depth of the hole should be such that the seedling is buried in the ground until the first leaves. Pour nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers into each hole, add trace elements, especially boron and magnesium, lightly sprinkle chemicals with earth and pour well with water. Shade the plantings from the scorching sun for the first few days.

Planting cauliflower in open ground will immediately attract the attention of insects. Juicy bushes are a tasty dish for cabbage fly and cruciferous flea. You can pollinate plantings with ash or tobacco dust to discourage pests. To prevent insects from eating your crop, plant next to cabbage, or garlic.

For the prevention of cabbage diseases during spring digging, add 5 g of colloidal sulfur to each m 2 of land.

Growing cabbage in the garden

To form dense heads, plants need proper care. Moisture is very important, but the soil cannot be poured: the roots do not tolerate stagnant water. It is better to water the bed through a sprayer, the aerial part is very fond of small sprays. Be sure to loosen the ground under the plants so that it is saturated with air, and excess moisture can evaporate.

Half a month after planting, the plants need to be fed with organic matter. Do not pour fresh manure on the ground, soak it in water for 3 days, and then dilute each liter of infusion in 5 liters of water. After top dressing, spud the bushes so that the stem does not stick out of the ground. When the forks begin to tie, feed again with a complex fertilizer with trace elements.

If the heads do not tie in any way, chop off the lower leaves, then the plant will use all its strength to form an inflorescence.

If the cabbage is attacked by pests, you can use insecticides. Chemical preparations can be used until the heads begin to tie. For prevention, spray a garden bed with tincture of wormwood, tobacco or burdock every week, such treatment will not bring harm. To keep the heads white and tasty, you can hide them from the light. Cut off the lower leaves and cover the inflorescence with them. In the shade, bitterness disappears from the forks, and they acquire a beautiful white color.

To get an early harvest, you can plant seedlings in a greenhouse in early spring. The conditions should be the same as when growing outdoors: temperature around +15⁰, proper watering, top dressing. If the daylight hours are still short, you need to highlight the plantings with lamps. In a greenhouse and a greenhouse, it usually happens too high humidity air. Air the plants daily to prevent rot or fungal infection from attacking them.

In the greenhouse, you can also grow seedlings for the second crop. Germination of seeds is carried out in a container, and when picking, seedlings are placed in the ground. Before planting in the garden, seedlings need to be hardened off. During the day, open doors and windows for several hours. If heat-loving crops are grown in the same room, they can be protected with covering material or film during the ventilation period.

In autumn, the greenhouse will also need a place for cabbage. Dig up unripe plants by the roots and plant for growing. Make sure that the temperature does not fall below +5⁰. In case of severe frosts, plants can be covered nonwoven fabric, film or mats.

Harvest and storage

When harvesting, cut off a head of cabbage with a small fragment of the stem and 4 leaves. Harvest can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 50 days. In the cellar, cauliflower will not wither up to 4 months. To provide yourself with fresh heads until the next season, divide the forks into small inflorescences. Rinse and dry the shoots, remove the rotten areas and store them in a bag in the freezer.

Heads that have not had time to ripen can be grown. Dig up a bush with a root and plant in a greenhouse or greenhouse. If this is not possible, you can put the plants in the cellar and sprinkle the roots with soil. The soil needs to be watered from time to time. The second option: hang the heads of cabbage upside down. With this method, they can increase the mass of the head by 0.5 kg.

The harvest is ripe, and the bushes are still full of strength, the leaves are juicy and healthy. Leave one good shoot on the stem, a new fork may start on it. Do not forget that in this case, the plant needs top dressing, care and watering. If the head does not have time to ripen before frost, dig up a bush and plant it in a greenhouse, where it will reach the desired size.

Conclusion

Cauliflower undeservedly received the fame of a capricious and fastidious plant. Growing problems arise for those gardeners who do not know and do not take into account biological features kind, does not provide the necessary care. The secrets of good harvests are easy to remember and apply. The culture is especially demanding for lighting: in spring, seedlings need to be additionally illuminated with lamps, and when heads appear, they need darkness at night.

Plants develop in about 60 days. The yield depends on the variety. For example, "Goat Dereza", if she is provided good care, can give up to 10 kg from 1 m 2. . Plants should not be planted too closely, and to save space, you can plant greens, spices, and salads between the bushes. This scheme is convenient for protecting cabbage from pests: many insects do not tolerate garlic or rosemary. If the heads are not ripe to frost, the bushes can be grown in a greenhouse.

Cauliflower is used to prepare the usual vegetable dishes - soups, stews. You can boil the shoots and bake with cheese or fry with an egg. This low-calorie, but nutritious product is part of many diets, used to prepare children's meals. Grow and properly store the crop, and then use your imagination and surprise your guests in an unusual way delicious dish.

Cauliflower is recognized as one of the healthy dietary and hypoallergenic vegetables. The nutritional value consists in a high content of proteins, ascorbic acid, vitamins: B 1, B 2, B 6, PP, C and trace elements - magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, iron and sodium. In terms of care and cultivation characteristics, cauliflower is more complicated than its other types, and requires certain knowledge and experience from the gardener. Let's see how to properly grow cauliflower outdoors.

We present to your attention the best varieties for open ground.

Early

These are varieties and hybrids that form heads on the 60-90th day from the moment of germination. The advantage of this group is an early harvest, negative trait — small size heads and poor keeping quality.

• Alpha. Variety of German selection. Ultra early - ripens on the 60th day from the moment of emergence of shoots. The head is flat-round, dense, white. It is distinguished by a high density of the head, a high content of vitamin C, excellent taste and yield. Average weight heads 1.2-1.5 kg. Used fresh and for canning.
• Princess. An early ripe variety, ripens in 85-90 days, has high commercial qualities. Head of dense creamy-white color. The surface of the head is slightly ribbed, open. Adjacent leaves without pronounced blistering. The average weight is 1.1-1.5 kg.
• Movir. Ripens in 85-90 days from the moment of germination. Resistant to head cracking, tolerates temperature changes, cold-resistant and heat-resistant variety. Cabbage has high taste qualities and good transportability. The head matures small, weighing 0.4-1.2 kg. The surface of the head is fine-grained, white, dense. Adjacent leaves do not cover the head. Used for canning and for fresh consumption.

Do you find early cauliflower the easiest to grow?

Yes, we harvest shortly after plantingNo, not a lot of flaws

Mid-season

Late varieties

Planting cauliflower in open ground

How to grow cauliflower in the country in the open field successfully? Start a successful landing. To obtain a quality crop, cauliflower is grown in seedlings. The sowing time for seedlings depends on the variety chosen.

The optimal time for sowing seeds for seedlings:

• for early ripe varieties - from late February to early March;
• for mid-season varieties - from March 20 to mid-April;
• for late - from the 2nd decade of April to the 2nd decade of May.

Important! To prevent bacterial and fungal diseases, seeds need pre-sowing treatment.

Step-by-step technology of sowing in seedling boxes:

1. Seeds are hardened by dipping for 15 minutes in hot and cold water, and then soaked in a nutrient solution of potassium humate.
2. For additional hardening, the soaked seeds are placed in the refrigerator for a couple of hours, after which they are dried, they are ready for sowing.
3. In a box with fertile soil or cassettes, sow seeds in moist soil and cover with glass or double film to maintain air humidity. Shoots will appear on the 7-10th day.

The optimum air temperature for seedling germination is -18-20C°. When true leaves appear, it is lowered to 8-10 ° C. Seedlings dive into separate cups with moistened soil, as 2-3 true leaves appear.

Caring for cabbage seedlings:

• regular watering and spraying;
• foliar top dressing (1 - at the stage of 2 true leaves with complex mineral fertilizer Kemira lux;
• 2- solution of copper sulfate (1.2 g) and 3 - boric acid (0.2 g) with a mixture of potassium sulfate and urea after 10 days);
• cool conditions of detention and the most illuminated place;
• before planting for 10 days for several hours to take out to fresh air for hardening.

Expert opinion

Filatov Ivan Yurievich, private farmer for over 30 years

How to grow cauliflower outdoors? Seedlings are planted when the threat of the return of spring frosts has passed - in early May, early-ripening varieties, after 10-15 days - mid-ripening and late. The bed is placed in the sun and has been prepared since autumn. Seedlings are planted in a checkerboard pattern. Average distance between plants from 60-90 cm. The soil under the planted plants is mulched with rotted manure to retain moisture and additional nutrition.

Cauliflower Care

Cauliflower is a demanding and capricious plant that does not tolerate the slightest shading, sudden changes in temperature, lack of water and nutrition.

Basic care is:

• watering 1-2 times a week (water consumption rate -8-11 l / m 2.) In the heat, watering is increased up to 3-4 times a week.
• systematic weeding;
• mulching the soil with peat, dry grass or rotted manure;
• preventive treatment against pests and diseases. Effective dusting with wood ash;
• top dressing. Spend 3 times per season with a solution of mullein in a ratio of 1:15.

It is difficult to cultivate cauliflower, but if you strictly follow the basic agrotechnical methods for growing it, you can succeed in the climate of the Moscow region, not to mention the southern regions with more favorable conditions.

Video

In this video, you will learn a little more about how to care for cauliflower in an open area.