Caulifloweris a one-year-old cruciferous vegetable, the edible part of which is the so-called rose.The nutritional values of cauliflowerand its unique taste make it a good idea to include this vegetable in your diet and try growing it on your garden plot. See whatgrowing cauliflower in the garden looks like , what cauliflower requirements must be met in order to grow he althily and yield well, and whichcauliflower varietiesare the best for amateur cultivation !
Cauliflower is a tasty and he althy vegetable
Fig. pixabay.com
Cauliflower - nutritional values
Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable . However, unlike most other cruciferous vegetables where their leaves are eaten, the edible part of the cauliflower is the so-called rose. Contrary to popular opinion, it is not a flower, but rather shortened flower shoots.
Cauliflower is a low-calorie vegetable(only 24 kcal per 100g), rich in numerous minerals and substances with scientifically proven anti-cancer properties.The nutritional values of cauliflowermake this vegetable recommended for people struggling with rheumatism, stomach ulcers (the isothiocyanins contained in cauliflower help in destroying Helicobacter pylori bacteria), overweight and diabetes.Cauliflower consumption should be avoidedpeople suffering from hypothyroidism, as well as pregnant women due to their bloating and gas-forming properties.
Nutritional information per 100g of cauliflower :
- 100g of cauliflower will provide us with only 0.3g of fatand 1.9g of protein, about 5g of carbohydrates and 2g of dietary fiber,
- this vegetable is rich in mineralssuch as: calcium (16 mg), iron (0.32 mg), magnesium (9 mg), phosphorus (32 mg), potassium (142 mg), sodium (15 mg), zinc (0.17 mg), as well asvitamins : C, A, E, K, B vitamins and folic acid,
- The glycemic index of cauliflower is only 15and this vegetable can reach diabetes without limitation.
Due to the bloating and gas-forming properties of cauliflower , consumption of this vegetable is not recommended for dinner. To alleviate these unwanted consequences of eating cauliflower, add digestive-enhancing spices such as garlic, ginger, cumin, and dill.
About We soften it by steaming the cauliflower very briefly (up to 4 minutes). This method will also preserve most of the nutritional value and compounds contained in this vegetable.
Variegated varieties of cauliflower
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If you boil cauliflower in water , put it in s alted boiling water and avoid overcooking (cook for no longer than 15 minutes), and do not cover it so that sulfur compounds can evaporate, which will improve the taste of the vegetable after cooking.
It is worth knowing thatcauliflower can also be eaten rawSliced cauliflower florets are then soaked in a dip or sauce or added to salads.
Cauliflower - growing in the garden
Before you decide to grow cauliflower in your garden , unfortunately I have to cool down this enthusiasm a bit. Cauliflower is, unfortunately, one of the most difficult and demanding cruciferous vegetables to grow.Cauliflower will not succeed without proper fertilization, regular watering and protection against pests. For beginner gardeners , we mainly recommend the autumn varieties of cauliflower , as these have the best chance of growing successfully in our climatic conditions.
Basic cauliflower requirements are :
- place of cultivation in a sunny and sheltered place from the wind,
- fertile and humus soil with good water retention, pH 6.0 - 7.0
- systematic removal of weeds and watering (especially during the rose making period).
Due to the shallow root system, cauliflower is not suitable for sandy, easily drying and too acidic soils. That is whywhen preparing the site for cauliflower cultivationit is recommended to lime the soil and to supply it with organic fertilizers, such as manure or compost. These treatments should be carried out in the fall, in the year preceding the cauliflower planting, bearing in mind that there should be at least 3 weeks between liming and the use of organic fertilizers.
Of course, before making a decision aboutliming the soil for cauliflower cultivation , you should check its current pH, i.e. measure the pH of the soil. If the pH only slightly drops below 6.0, it is enough to apply a slow-acting calcium dolomite fertilizer or bas alt flour.
It is also extremely importanttop dressing of cauliflower during its growthIn the conditions of amateur cultivation in the garden, for this purpose we can use natural liquid biohumus fertilizer, which is diluted with water for watering. Due to the high nitrogen demand of cauliflower, mineral fertilizers for vegetables rich in this ingredient or natural nettle slurry may also be beneficial.
Cauliflower grown in the garden
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Cauliflower is an annual vegetable , grown from seedlings.
The date of sowing cauliflower seeds and planting seedlingsdepends on the variety selected for cultivation:
- early cauliflower varietiesare sown for seedlings in mid-February, and planted into the ground in mid-April,
- Middle-early varieties of cauliflower(so-called summer varieties) are sown in March and April and planted in the beds in mid-May,
- late (autumn) cauliflower varietiesare sown on seedbeds in late May / early June and planted in flower beds in late June / early July.
The seedbed requiredthe germination temperature of the cauliflower seeds is 16-20 ° C .
The growing time of cauliflower , depending on the variety, can be 2 to 3 months, the first month of which is spent on the seedbed and the remaining 1 - 2 months on the flowerbed.
The cauliflower seedlings are plantedafter the plants have produced 5-6 leaves. There is no quilting and planting must be done very carefully so as not to damage the delicate cauliflower roots. Planting cauliflower seedlings will be easierif the seeds are sown in peat pots. Then the plants are not removed from the pot, but planted in a flower bed together with the pot. The peat pot will decompose over time, fertilizing the soil, and we will avoid the risk of damaging the roots.
Recommendedcauliflower spacing is 40 to 60 cmThese distances should be kept between the rows, and between plants in a row.
To get rid of caterpillars and snails from cauliflower, put the cauliflower in vinegar-acidified water for 10 to 15 minutes before cooking.
Fig. pixabay.com
In the vicinity of cauliflowers, it is worth plantingherbs, such as chamomile, basil and sage. Their smellswill confuse pests interested in cauliflowerand will also improve the taste of cauliflower roses. A good idea isto surround the cauliflower patch with dill , which makes cauliflower avoid cabbage.Other cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage, kale and broccoli, can also grow on a common plot with cauliflowers. However, avoid the vicinity of nightshade vegetables, i.e. tomatoes and peppers, as well as turnips, i.e. radishes, radishes and turnips.
In the cultivation of this vegetable, it is very importantbleaching the cauliflower roseThe aim of this treatment is to reduce the light flowing to the cauliflower rose so that it retains its white color, because without this treatment, roses usually turn yellow. To this end, after the rose has been produced, the top 2 or 3 leaves of the cauliflower are folded over to cover the rose. The string with which the leaves are tied may be helpful, or you can also fasten them with a laundry clip.
You can opt out of bleaching cauliflowersif you choose interesting color varieties for cultivation - yellow, orange, purple or greenish (Romanesco type). Also,self-covering cauliflower varieties , whose leaves grow naturally so that they cover the rose from sunlight, are becoming more and more common.
Cauliflower - harvesting and storage
Cauliflowers are harvested when the roses are large and good-looking. Depending on the variety and the date of planting,cauliflower harvesting may last from June to autumnHarvesting autumn varieties should be completed before frosts, even when the roses are not yet fully developed, because under the influence of they will turn yellow or freeze in frost.
Ready-to-harvest cauliflower rosesshould be fully grown and have a firm surface. It is not worth delaying the harvest, because then the roses will turn yellow and loosen up. Interestingly, it is best to harvest cauliflowers in the morning, because then they are the most firm and juicy. Cut the cauliflower roses together with the leaves with a sharp knife, because then they are stored more easily, and the subsequent yellowing and easy detachment of the leaves will be a signal for us that the storage period is ending.
This cauliflower was left on the bed for too long, its rose is loosening too much
Fig. pixabay.com
Cauliflower can be stored in a cool place for several daysIn the refrigerator, put the cauliflower upwards with the stem to prevent moisture build-up and spoilage. It is best to keep it in the fruit and vegetable compartment for no longer than 5 days. If you want to store cauliflowers at home for a long time, it's best to freeze them.
To properly freeze the cauliflower , remove the leaves from the cauliflower and divide it into florets. Then throw it into boiling water with s alt and lemon juice, which prevents the cauliflower florets from turning black. Cooking should take 4 minutes. Drain the blanched roses and put them on a dry, clean towel. After drying, the florets are placed in foil bags and placed in the freezer.
Cauliflower - varieties
There are many varieties of cauliflower available on the horticultural market, differing in growing time, and the size and color of roses. Below we list the most interesting in our opinioncauliflower varieties for growing in the garden :
Cauliflower 'Multi Head'- an unusual and very fertile variety of cauliflower, enchanting with its appearance due to the additional small heads forming around the central plant. This interesting variety yields several times a season. It is suitable for spring, summer and autumn cultivation.
Romanesco Cauliflower
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Cauliflower 'Romanesco'- cauliflower variety with rose green, intended for cultivation in the ground, especially for autumn harvest. After cooking, the roses remain green. They are distinguished by a delicate, specific taste, something between broccoli and traditional cauliflower.
Cauliflower 'Di Sicilia Violetto'- an autumn variety of cauliflower with purple roses, valued for its attractive appearance in vegetable salads and a spicy taste. Works well in field cultivation.
Cauliflower 'Herbstriesen 2'- a late white rose variety intended for autumn harvesting. It can be grown in the field as well as in tunnels. Creates coarse-grained, strict, white roses, partially covered with leaves.
Cauliflower 'Delta'- universal mid-early variety, suitable for spring, summer and autumn cultivation. Creates magnificent snow-white roses.
Cauliflower 'Pionier'- one of the best medium-early varieties. It produces large, compact, hemispherical white roses. Recommended especially for cultivation in the field for harvesting in late spring and early summer or early autumn.
People looking for good qualitycauliflower seeds to grow in a garden or plot , we recommend the shop of our guide. We sell cauliflower varieties that yield very well and are resistant to diseases and unfavorable growing conditions. To see the seeds offer, click on the image below.
