🥕 Cauliflower

Brassica oleracea var. botrytis

vegetables brassica (cole crop)

☀️ Sun

Full sun (6–8 hours); tolerates partial shade

💧 Water

High; 1–1.5 inches per week CONSTANTLY; cauliflower is very sensitive to water stress — inconsistent watering causes 'buttoning' (tiny heads) or loose curds

🗺️ Zones

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

🪴 Soil Type

Very rich, well-drained loam with heavy compost; cauliflower is one of the most demanding brassicas for fertility and consistent growing conditions

🧪 Soil pH

6.5–7.5 (neutral to slightly alkaline preferred — slightly more alkaline than other brassicas; higher pH helps prevent clubroot)

💧 Drainage

Well-drained; consistent moisture is critical — any stress causes small, loose, or 'ricey' curds

📏 Spacing

18–24 inches apart; rows 30–36 inches

📅 Days to Maturity

55-80 days (from transplant); 70-100 days from seed

🍴 Edible Parts

🍽️ ["Flower head (curd)"🍽️ "Leaves (edible \u2014 cook like cabbage)"🍽️ "Stalks (peeled and sliced)"]

🤝 Companions (6)

🤝 Dill

Attracts beneficial wasps and hoverflies that parasitize cabbage worms and aphids

🤝 Celery

Celery repels cabbage white butterfly; mutual growth benefit reported

🤝 Rosemary

Strong scent masks brassica; repels cabbage moths

🤝 Nasturtium

Trap crop for aphids; repels cabbage worms

🤝 Chamomile

Improves flavor; attracts beneficial insects

🤝 Bean (bush)

Beans fix nitrogen; nitrogen is critical for cauliflower head development; conflicting: some say brassicas inhibit beans

⚠️ Keep Apart (3)

⚠️ Tomato

Antagonistic relationship — brassicas may stunt tomatoes via allelopathy

⚠️ Strawberry

Mutual growth inhibition reported

⚠️ Pepper

Brassica allelopathy may stunt pepper growth

💊 Medicinal Uses

["Contains sulforaphane and glucosinolates (anti-cancer compounds \u2014 lower than broccoli but still significant)", "High in vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate", "Good source of choline \u2014 important for brain health and liver function", "Contains indole-3-carbinol (hormone regulation)"]

📝 Notes

Cauliflower is among the most difficult brassicas to grow — extremely sensitive to temperature, water, and nutrient fluctuations. Self-blanching varieties (wrapping leaves naturally) are easier than those requiring manual tying. Purple, orange, and green ('Romanesco') varieties exist with different nutrient profiles. Blanching (covering the curd with leaves to exclude light) keeps traditional white cauliflower from yellowing. Ideal temperature: 60-70°F during heading.