It will all depend on the weather of course but on a hot day you will need to water twice a day, if it's it's dull every 2 days will be fine. You do need to be careful, however, not to let the compost plug completely dry out or it will form a crust on top and won't absorb the moisture the next time you water. This may sound odd but making the roots search for water helps to develop a better root system. You are actually far better to under rather than over water your plants. It's important to keep you seedlings properly watered before you plant them out in the garden. Nip the unlucky one with your finger nail or cut with a scissors.

Don't pull the seedling out as you'll damage the roots of the one you want to keep. If 2 cauliflower seedlings have germinated in any of your modules you need to remove the weaker one. If the plants are on a heat bench or in a propagator and they are looking spindly, turn the heat down and try to give them as much light as possible. This will reflect daylight onto the darker side of the plant. You can make a makeshift light box by placing a sheet of reflective tinfoil on the room side of the seedling tray. If you are starting them off on a windowsill make sure they get as much daylight as possible. Seedlings become 'leggy' when they get too much heat and not enough light. When growing seedlings indoors you be careful they don't get leggy, i.e. Use a propagator, heat mat or a warm south facing windowsill. If you're sowing in March the seeds will need some warmth. They should be ready to plant out in about 4 weeks. Place your trays in your greenhouse, poly tunnel, cold frame or windowsill to germinate. This is less likely to wash the seed around than the heavy spray from a watering can. A good tip is to use a plastic bottle with small holes punched in the cap. If 2 seeds germinate you will have to remove the weaker seedling.Ĭover the seeds with another layer of compost then scrape across the top of the tray with a stick to remove excess. Give the tray a sharp bang on your table to settle.With your fingers make small depressions in each cell about a fingernail or 1.5cm deep. When filling the tray rub the compost through your hands to break upĪny lumps. Fill the seed tray with compost and brush off any excess. We use a seed module tray with each section being approx 2 inches deep. Use a seed compost which has a finer texture and lower nutrients than your standard multipurpose compost. Gives the plant a head start against weather and garden pests and diseases.Quick transplanting with minimum root disturbance.You can sow directly into the soil but I think you'll have better success with this method for the following reasons: I highly recommend sowing your cauliflower in modular trays. You can sow Cauliflower in late March, early May and early June for a long cropping season. Any check in their growing cycle will result in tiny heads and a frustrated gardener! In short they tricky. They need a deep rich soil and must be kept well watered throughout the season. Variety is important, especially for beginners with a very healthy and well fed soil essential.Ĭauliflower likes cool growing conditions and quite high humidity. The cauliflower is not the easiest of the brassica family to grow but a large white cauliflower with tight white curds is a thing of beauty and producing one a source of much satisfaction.

Purple cauliflower seedlings