![]() If you do, they may become stressed by transplant shock.Ī starter fertilizer applied when you transplant your seedlings will get your broccoli and cauliflower off to a good start, but it will not compensate for all the possible problems just mentioned.īeets, onions, and garlic are all good companions for your broccoli and cauliflower. If your seedlings have been held too long or mistreated in some way before planting, they can create“buttons”, or small heads, that tend to flower prematurely.Ĭlimatic elements such as extreme cold and drought can cause your plants to halt their full growth and form only “buttons”.ĭon't allow your transplants to get too mature before moving them to your garden. Keep the seedlings well watered and mulched to retain moisture and keep the roots cool. For your cauliflower, fertilize again every 4 weeks. For your broccoli, fertilize again when the plants are 6 to 8 inches tall, 12 to 15 inches tall, and then when the buds first form. Feed both your Broccoli and Cauliflower with a low nitrogen fertilizer when first planting out. Site them in full sun in a rich, moist, well-drained soil, spacing the young plants 18 to 24 inches apart in rows that are 2½ to 3 feet apart. This should be done about 2 weeks before the last frost. Transplant your broccoli and cauliflower seedlings when they have at least two sets of true leaves. You will want to keep the seedlings just a few inches below the light so they don't “stretch” and get “leggy." If you don't have fluorescent lighting, a south-facing window will do just fine.īroccoli≴5 to 60 days from sowing to harvestingĬauliflower≳0 to 80 days from sowing to harvesting Transplanting Broccoli and Cauliflower Seedlings Make sure the plants receive plenty of lightfluorescent light for around 14 to 16 hours a day is also ideal for the fastest growth. Once the seeds have sprouted, be sure to keep the soil lightly moist. Sow your broccoli and cauliflower seeds at a depth of 4 times the size of the seed, or ½ inch deep, and water thoroughly. Be careful, however, not to start it so early it gets damaged by the cold. Since cauliflower is more sensitive to cold than its cabbage-family relatives, you need to start it early enough that it has a chance to mature before the heat of the summer. The same guidelines apply to cauliflower, except when starting indoors, sow your seeds 5 to 7 weeks before the last frost. ![]() For a winter crop in Zones 8 and warmer, sow in late summer. They can also be sown outdoors 2 weeks before the last frost. When to Start Broccoli and Cauliflowerīroccoli seeds are best started indoors 7 to 9 weeks before the last frost, at a temperature of 70 to 75☏. And if you're wanting to get your children to eat more healthy veggies, you might want to look at the more colorful, fun varieties. Heat tolerance is also a factor, especially for those living in the south. There are several compact types that don't require a lot of space, so they're the best choice for a limited gardening area. Choosing a Broccoli or Cauliflower VarietyĪll broccoli and cauliflower are packed with vitamins and nutrients, so when choosing what varieties to grow, you'll base your decision mostly on size and color.
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