Cauliflower
Cauliflower, with its dense, creamy-white heads and broad green leaves, adds a touch of elegance to any garden. This cool-season vegetable is known for its compact and intricate florets that form a solid head. The contrast between the white curds and the surrounding foliage makes cauliflower a visually striking addition to garden beds.
In Florida planting zone 9, cauliflower thrives particularly well during the cooler months. The heads form into tight, cohesive clusters, ready to be harvested when they reach their peak size and firmness. Watching these beautiful heads develop is a rewarding experience, showcasing the success of your gardening efforts.
For those new to gardening, cauliflower can be a delightful challenge. It’s not only visually appealing but also highly nutritious, offering a variety of culinary uses. Whether you enjoy it roasted, steamed, or as a rice substitute, cauliflower brings a fresh and healthy addition to your meals, making your gardening endeavors both productive and enjoyable.
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The vegetables listed on this page are not the only ones that can thrive in this region of Florida, but they represent the top recommended varieties for optimal growth and success in local conditions.
Cauliflower Varieties:
Snowball Y Improved
Heirloom
Description: Snowball Y Improved is a popular heirloom variety known for its reliable performance and adaptability. It produces smooth, dense white heads with excellent flavor.
Growing Season: Fall and Winter
USDA Planting Zone: 3–9
Special Notes: Early maturing and tolerant of a variety of soil types. Well-suited for both fresh market and home garden use.
Cheddar
Hybrid
Description: Cheddar is a unique variety that produces bright orange heads rich in beta-carotene, with a mild, sweet flavor.
Growing Season: Fall and Winter
USDA Planting Zone: 4–9
Special Notes: Adds a splash of color to dishes and retains much of its color when cooked. Matures in approximately 58–68 days.
Graffiti
Hybrid
Description: Graffiti is a striking purple cauliflower with a mild, nutty flavor and high antioxidant content.
Growing Season: Fall and Winter
USDA Planting Zone: 3–9
Special Notes: Color intensifies with sun exposure and often holds its purple hue when cooked, adding strong visual appeal to dishes.
Snow Crown
Hybrid
Description: Snow Crown is a hybrid variety that forms large, uniform, tightly packed white heads with a sweet, mild flavor.
Growing Season: Fall and Winter
USDA Planting Zone: 4–9
Special Notes: Tolerant of heat and humidity, making it a good choice for Florida’s climate. Typically matures in about 70–80 days.
Veronica (Romanesco)
Hybrid
Description: Veronica, often called Romanesco, produces striking lime-green heads with a fractal pattern and a crisp, nutty flavor.
Growing Season: Fall and Winter
USDA Planting Zone: 3–9
Special Notes: A showpiece in both the garden and kitchen. Prefers cooler temperatures for best head formation.
Florida Vegetable Planting Guide
This guide provides information on when to start seeds inside, direct seed, and transplant starter plants in the different regions of Florida.
North USDA Planting Zones: 8b-9a
Central USDA Planting Zones: 9b & some of 10a
South USDA Planting Zones: 10a-11b
Visit the U.S. National Arboretum for an Exact USDA Planting Zone Map.
| Cauliflower | North Florida | Central Florida | South Florida |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start Seeds Inside | Aug-Jan | Aug-Jan | Aug-Dec |
| Direct Seed | Aug-Feb | Sep-Feb | Sep-Jan |
| Transplant Starter Plants | Sep-Feb | Sep-Feb | Oct-Jan |
Planting Guide – Cauliflower
Getting Started
Start Seeds Inside:
Starting cauliflower seeds indoors in late summer allows for controlled conditions to ensure
proper germination and strong seedlings ready for transplanting in the fall.
Direct Seed:
Direct seeding cauliflower during the cooler months ensures rapid germination and establishment,
avoiding the heat stress that can negatively impact growth.
Transplant Starter Plants:
Transplanting cauliflower starter plants in the cooler months helps them establish quickly and
take advantage of the full growing season, leading to healthier and more productive plants.
Soil, Sun, Water, and Spacing
Soil:
Cauliflower prefers well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
Amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and structure.
Sun:
Full sun is ideal, but cauliflower can tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter climates.
Watering:
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Mulching helps retain soil moisture and regulate temperature.
Spacing:
Plant seedlings about 18–24 inches apart in rows spaced 12–18 inches apart
to allow adequate air circulation and room for growth.
Harvesting and Additional Tips
Harvesting:
Cauliflower is ready to harvest when the heads are firm, compact, and about 6–8 inches in diameter,
typically 50–90 days after planting. Cut the head off with a sharp knife, leaving a few outer leaves to protect it.
Blanching (White Varieties):
To keep white heads bright, tie the outer leaves over the head when it reaches 2–3 inches across,
protecting it from sun exposure (coloring) and reducing weather stress.
Additional Tips:
- Maintain consistent moisture during head formation to prevent “buttoning” (small heads).
- Mulch helps stabilize soil temps and reduces stress during warm spells.
- Harvest promptly once heads are tight; over-mature heads can rice and loosen.
Fertilization, Care, and Problems
Fertilization (N–P–K Ratio):
Cauliflower benefits from a balanced fertilizer with slightly higher nitrogen for leafy growth and head development,
such as 10-10-10 or 14-14-14.
When to Add:
Before Planting: Apply fertilizer to the soil before planting seeds or transplants to promote strong initial growth.
Mid-Growing Season: Reapply about four weeks after planting and again when heads begin forming.
Application Tips:
- Follow package directions to avoid over-fertilization.
- Apply evenly around plants and water thoroughly so nutrients move into the root zone.
Pests and Diseases in Florida:
- Aphids: Small insects that suck sap, causing curling and yellowing.
- Cabbage Worms: Caterpillars that chew large holes in leaves.
- Flea Beetles: Tiny beetles that cause small “shot holes” in foliage.
- Cutworms: Caterpillars that cut young plants at the base.
- Downy Mildew: Yellowing leaves with fuzzy gray growth underside.
- Clubroot: Swollen, distorted roots and stunted growth.
Blog post on Natural Fertilizers
Natural Pest Control
Companion Plants and Plants to Avoid
Companion Plants:
| Marigold | Bright flowers that release root exudates deterring nematodes and other soil-borne pests, while helping repel aphids and flea beetles around cauliflower. |
| Onions | Strongly scented bulbs whose aroma helps mask the smell of cauliflower, confusing aphids, flea beetles, and other pests. |
| Dill | Feathery herb that attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and predatory wasps which prey on aphids, cabbage worms, and flea beetles near cauliflower. |
| Chamomile | Daisy-like herb that brings in hoverflies and parasitic wasps while offering mild antifungal benefits that can help reduce disease pressure. |
| Thyme | Low-growing aromatic herb whose strong scent repels cabbage worms and flea beetles, and attracts beneficial predatory insects. |
Plants to Avoid Nearby:
| Strawberries | Can attract pests and diseases that are harmful to cauliflower, increasing overall pressure in the bed. |
| Tomatoes | Heavy feeders that compete strongly for nutrients and can attract pests that also damage cauliflower. |
| Peppers | May stunt cauliflower growth and compete for similar nutrients in warmer-season beds. |
| Garden Beans | Can inhibit the growth of cauliflower when planted too close, especially in smaller beds with limited nutrients. |
|
Brassicas (Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Kale) |
Compete for the same nutrients and attract many of the same pests and diseases, increasing pressure if grown right beside cauliflower. |