How to grow cauliflower?

[happygardener]

How do you grow cauliflower and have the "head" keep nice and tight. Ours just branched out, each bit on its own stem kind of thing.
Hope that makes sence?
thanks

happygardener

[johnmichael]

Essential requirements for quality cauliflowers are,1.Rich deep soil.2.No check in growth.3.Regular watering.4.Reasonably sunny site.5.Soil MUST be firm around the plant for tight curds.

[realfood]

Happy gardener, you left them too long before harvesting them.

[happygardener]

hi realfood,
the heads never became tight they just branched out from the word go.

head, is the propper name a curd?

happygardener

[johnmichael]

Originally Posted by happygardener

hi realfood,
the heads never became tight they just branched out from the word go.

head, is the propper name a curd?

happygardener

Apparently yes.(or head).

[louisestokes1987]

hi im not sure im in the right place but im looking for some addvice, ive been growing various vegetables last year and this year but this year i tried cauliflowers for the first time, when the heads started to come through they just right but then when i went to look at them again a few days later they had gone a dark cream colour in areas, i think it might be caterpillars but im not sure and if it is have you got and add vice on that too thank you, as you can probally tell im new to this lol

[Pot man UK]

I had exactly the same problem this year as a first timer. I think that firming the soil around the plant is probably the best advice as this is what you do with sprouts to stop them blowing.

[airconednightmare]

do they form mini cauliflower heads which look ok then start to split? if so the causes are diverse, bugs, poor soil structure, lack of trace nutrients, etc.

[rosa15]

Cauliflower requires full sun,PH of 6.0 to 7.0, well-drained and moist soil amended with plenty of organic matter.Make sure about these needs while growing cauliflower for better and healthier yields.

[Husker]

The one thing I do to keep the heads white, and I think it help to keep them tight also, is to bring the leaves up over the head when the head is about the size of a tennis ball and tie the leaves fairly tight at the top, so the head has room to expand. It' a two kind of person job and may have to be done later in the season if the leaves begin to come loose. It works well for me and I've done this for years. Beside what we ate fresh we were able to put 8 quart bags in the freezer of of 6 plants. I really love it with a creamy cheese sause.

[Pot man UK]

Does compacting the soil help?

Plant pots

[Husker]

When I plant my plants I gently press the soil around the roots, just enough to make sure there are no air pockets and that the roots make good contact with the soil. I'm a firm believer in compacting soil as little as possible so the roots of plants can grow with as little obstruction as possible.