Today, we learn the topic of cauliflower container gardening techniques which can also be assumed for growing cauliflower in buckets or pots. Cauliflowers are the large vegetables, but the roots of them are shallow in a surprising way. If you are having a container with sufficient width to place a plant, you will be able to grow this nutritious and tasty vegetable.
Though you cannot find cauliflowers in most of the gardens, it is not at all tough to grow than tomatoes or any other vegetables which can be grown in the gardens. Cauliflowers are much more related to cabbage and broccoli and they provide the health benefits which are similar to vitamin C, compounds which fight cancer and fiber. Cauliflower is the one which will grow best in the climatic conditions which are cool and it can be started planting from seed or it can also be purchased in your local garden center. If you have a garden space which is limited, you have an option togrow cauliflower in containers too. In this article, we will discuss how to grow cauliflowers in containers or buckets.
Now, Let’s get into details of cauliflower container gardening techniques.
Read:Growing Hydroponic Vegetables for Profit.
Common Cauliflower varieties for container gardening
Snowball: This usually grows to 50 cm height with 15 cm heads. Broccoli Romanesco: This variety usually in lime green with ornate spiral pattern. Violet Sicilian: This variety of cauliflower is in violet color and turns green when boiled or cooked. Giant of Naples: This cauliflower type is an Italian heirloom which consists of a very large head. Sixty Days: This variety of cauliflower is good for warmer regions or hot climates. Paleface: This type is grown mostly in cooler climates.
Common gardening tools and items required for growing cauliflower in the container:
A perfect container/pot
Gloves
Quality cauliflower seeds
Fertile soil or garden soil or potting soil mix
Organic compost or Kitchen compost or vermicompost
Garden rake
Hand Trowel
Spray pump
Garden label
Sowing the seeds:
The sowing of cauliflower seeds should started two months prior to your locality’s last date of frost if you want to harvest at the time of spring or you will need to start sowing the seeds prior to 3 months before your locality’s first date of frost if you want to harvest them at the time of autumn.
Make sure that you are filling your nursery pots which are made of plastic with potting soil medium. You will need to maintain a space of a half inch at the top of the soil. After that, keep four seeds to the middle of each pot and cover the seeds with soil in a light manner.
Make sure that you are maintaining the moisture in the soil, but also remember that you are not making it wet completely. Once you see that the seeds are sprouting, the pots have to be placed close to a sunny window or you can also place them close to a grow lamp. After you see that the seedlings have reached a height of 2 inches, the seedlings have to be thinned to one plant per each individual pot.
The soil has to be maintained moist in a continuous way till you are prepared to plant the seedlings of the cauliflower in the containers which are large enough.
Growing Cauliflowers in containers:
The containers which are selected for the growth of cauliflowers have to be with a diameter of a minimum 12 inches and a depth of a minimum 12 inches. The containers which measure 15 to 20 inches across are the best for the growth of cauliflowers in containers.
The containers need to be filled with potting soil medium. As mentioned previously, a space of 1 inch has to be maintained at the top of the soil. The seedlings of the cauliflower from their nursery pots. For doing this, you will need to squeeze the sides of the nursery pot in a gentle manner and tilt into its side. As you see the plant sliding out, make sure to catch it by making use of your opposite hand.
The soil which is present at the middle of your container has to be pushed aside in order to make a large hole so that the roots of seedlings can be placed.
Hence, now it is time to keep the seedling in the hole which is made and cover the roots by making use of the soil.
The plant has to be given sufficient water for moistening the soil and the plants have to be fed with a fertilizer which is soluble in water and also balanced.
The container has to be placed in the outdoor location just 1 month before your last date of frost in order to harvest it at the time of spring or 1 ½ month before your first date of frost if you want to harvest it at the time of autumn. The containers have to be kept in a place which receives sunlight for a minimum of 6 hours per day.
The plants of cauliflower have to be provided with sufficient amount of water so that by doing this, the soil can be maintained moist. But, also make sure that you are not wetting it by overwatering. Make sure that you are not letting the water to get dried out. Your cauliflower plant has to be fed for every 1 month with a water-soluble and balanced fertilizer.
Flinch the cauliflower when you see the head is across 3 inches. In order to flinch it, you will need to tie the leaves of the plant together for the formation of shade over the head. This will maintain the head white. If you have already selected a variety which is been labelled as “self-blanching” or if you are not that concerned about having a cauliflower which is green, then there is no need to perform this particular step.
Your cauliflower might require certain help in order to make sure that the cauliflowers are white and also tender when they are ready for the purpose of harvest. This is known ad blanching which will involve the protection of heads from the sunlight which is direct, Few varieties of cauliflowers are self-blanching ones. Self blanching means that the leaves will curl in a natural way over the head of the cauliflower which is developing. The plants have to be monitored in a careful manner when the heads reach the size of 2 inches across at a minimum. If you see that the leaves are making it good in the protection of heads, you can also help them by pulling the leaves which are large and are around the head and then protect them with a string piece.
Read:Bengal Gram Gardening Techniques.
Harvest of cauliflowers grown in containers:
The head of the cauliflower can be harvested when it is grown to the size which is desired by you. It is the head which will taste the best when it is in between 5 to 8 inches across. For harvesting, you will need to cut beneath the head of the cauliflower by making use of a knife which is sharp enough. You will need to cut it sufficiently low in such a way that a circle of leaves is left attached to the head of the cauliflower.
After the completion of harvest, you will need to pull out the remaining cauliflower plant outside of the large container and make sure that you are composting it or putting it in along with your debris in the yard.
Make sure that you are not using the soil where the plantation of cauliflower is done for any other crop which is similar to cauliflower like kale, cabbage, and broccoli. This will raise the chances of disease. Rather than that, you can use the same soil where the cauliflower is grown for the crops like lettuce, beans, tomatoes or peas.
That’s all folks about cauliflower container gardening techniques and ideas.
