The Snowball Self blanching caulifower variety will save you some work because it will wrap and blanch itself as long as it’s grown in cool conditions!The pure white heads grow from 6 to 9 inches across and mature in about 65 days. Sowing For a spring crop, start seeds indoors 5-6 weeks before the last expected spring frost; move hardened off seedlings to the garden 2 weeks before the last frost date. Start seeds for a fall crop about 75 days before the first expected fall frost, hardening them off to full sun exposure before planting in the garden. The ideal day time temperatures for cauliflower plants are in the 60s, so gardeners in many parts of the country may find it easiest to ripen a successful crop in the cool weather of fall. In mild winter areas (Zones 8-10), cauliflower can be grown for winter harvest. Space cauliflower plants about 18 inches apart in the row with 30 inches between rows to allow room for walking. Sow seeds to inch deep and 2 inches apart in cell packs or flats or in individual pots. Planting Mulch the soil around your cauliflower plants and be sure to keep it consistently moist. Floating row covers will help to exclude pests such as cabbage loopers, cabbageworms and flea beetles. When the developing heads are about the size of an egg, begin blanching cauliflower by gathering up the leaves loosely over the head, securing them closed with a rubber band or long twist tie. Be sure to leave enough room for the head to increase in size. This also provides some protection against light frost for fall crops. Harvesting Harvest the heads when they are 6 inches or more across (some varieties develop larger heads), but before the curds of the head begin to separate, usually a week or two after the heads begin to form. Cut the heads away from the plant at their base with a 1-2 inch stem. Buy Seeds Online,Organic Seeds,Heirloom Seeds,Non-GMO Seeds,Vegetable Seeds,Flower Seeds,Herb Seeds,Fruit Seeds,Garden Seeds,Seed Starter Kits,Rare Seeds,Bulk Seeds,Indoor Gardening Seeds,Seed Catalog,Seed Packs for Sale,Sustainable Seeds,Greenhouse Seeds,Seed Suppliers,Planting Seeds,Home Garden Seeds