Grow your own Cauliflower

It may be the height of summer, but it’s time to start sowing your winter vegetables for next season. And what would winter be without cauliflower cheese or cream of cauliflower soup? Cauliflower is an incredibly versatile vegetable that is high in vitamin C and fibre. It is well loved around the world, and includes orange (native to Canada), green and purple varieties!

Planting tips:

• Sow in a shady area of the garden in rich soil. Seeds should be sown 50cm apart in rows 70cm apart.
• Prepare the soil beforehand with plenty of compost and half a cup of 2:3:2 per m2. Feed with liquid manure while growing.
• Water regularly – you may need to water cauliflower daily in very hot weather
• Your cauliflower plants are ready to harvest when the heads (known as curds) are white and solid (60-80 days after sowing).

Did you know?

• Half of the cauliflower produced worldwide is grown in China, followed by India, which makes up a quarter of world production.