Cauliflower is great in stews, salads, and preserves. A great frost tolerant year-round crop which can survive most Southern African conditions.
The optimum temperatures for growth and development are from 18 °C to 20 °C. It is fairly resistant to frost and can survive temperatures as low as – 3 °C without damage. Cauliflower is also adapted to a wide variety of climatic conditions and can be grown throughout the year in most regions.
Soil
Rich, deep soil, firm with plenty of well-rotted compost dug in. Cauliflower loves nitrogen so any nitrogen-rich source will help yields. Cauliflower can be grown on a wide range of soils but it thrives on well can be grown on a wide range of soils but it thrives on well-drained -drained, moisture-retentive loamy soils well supplied with organic matter. It does not grow well on highly acidic soil. The ideal soil pH ranges from 5,5 to 6,5 and it should not be allowed to fall below 4,5. In soils with pH above 6,5, the leaves become dark but leaf margins die back. Plants in saline soils are also highly susceptible to blackleg.
Cauliflower is a heavy feeder and requires supplemental fertilization in the form of manure or compost, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Position
Full sun.
Companions
Mint, Rosemary, Sage, Celery.
Spacing
Single Plants: 35 to 50cm each way Rows: 45cm with 60cm row gap
Irrigation
Cauliflower should be irrigated immediately after sowing or transplanting should be irrigated immediately after sowing or transplanting. Thereafter, irrigation should be applied at intervals of 10 to 12 days in heavy soils or eight days in light soils and the schedule should be followed until the heads are fully developed and firm. Young plants should receive enough water for vegetative growth before forming heads. Excess moisture when the heads have formed may cause them to crack.
Every seed variety undergoes organic cultivation and self-testing on our South African, Botswanan, Zambian, and Tanzanian farms. Our commitment lies in offering a diverse selection of organically grown, open-pollinated, Non-GMO seeds, proudly produced and acclimated locally.
Before planting, please verify the conditions in your area suitable for the specific seed type. Growth rates and germination times hinge on various factors like soil conditions, rainfall/watering patterns, climate, and more. The outcome of growth and harvest may be influenced by these conditions.
