Quick Reference:

Plant seed 1/8 inch deep spaced 2 inches apart. Germination: 7 to 14 days. Plant spacing in the garden, 18 inches.

When and where to plant:

Cauliflower grows well in Alaska's cool climate. This variety must be grown from starts transplanted to the garden to assure the heads will mature. Start seed indoors 5 to 7 weeks before the last frost. Fill a container with drainage holes with sterilized soil, sprinkle seed on the surface, cover lightly with soil, water well for a good seed-soil contact and keep moist until seedlings emerge. Indoors grow seedlings in a sunny, cool area, 55 degrees or less at night. When seedlings are 1 to 1 ½ inches tall and have their first true leaves transplant to individual plastic pots and grow until the garden is ready. Choose a sunny garden location, cauliflower grows in any good soil, cultivate, enrich with plant food and transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost.

Care:

Plants MUST be protected from root maggots and cutworms. Water regularly and apply plant food once a month during the growing season to promote good growth and top quality heads. If pure white heads are desired tie the large wrapper leaves over the heads when they are small to shade them from the sun.

Harvest:

Cut just below the head when the white curds are still tight and firm.