Cauliflower heads loose
Amanda Pope
Posts: 16
in Fruit & veg
can anyone help me, I have planted cauli in two different places in my garden and the heads are all loose yet they are no where near ready to harvest. I am wondering whether they will tighten up as they continue to grow or whether I should harvest and use them because they won't improve. i grew them from seed and planted out late spring and our soil is a bit on the sandy side. I have watered regularly during dry spells. I have managed to grow decent cauli one year but havent had any luck since then. Amanda
0
Posts
Cauli's are probably the most difficult veg to grow well for home gardeners. The young plants need to be really well firmed-in to produce dense, tight heads which would be difficult in your sandy soil - they are commercially grown in areas with clay soil. I would harvest and use them as they won't tighten up now.
If you grow them again, try planting the young plants as deeply as you can - right up to the bottom leaves and use your heel all around each one to firm the ground around the stalk.
Thank you so much, does the same apply to broccoli? I am trying them for the first time this year, but gave grown purple sprouting successfully before.
Yes Amanda, firm planting applies to all brassicas and really helps.