I guess this just wasn't my year for cauliflower. My spring-planted crop never formed proper heads. I'm guessing that the extraordinarily hot summer we experienced this year had something to do with that. Then this past weekend, I noticed that my one and only fall cauliflower had started to form one. Unfortunately, it's now too late in the season for the head to fully mature. Better luck next year I suppose.
I broke off the small head to get a closer look at it. The curds looks so interesting even at this stage. Anyway, I've been really impressed by how cold-tolerant my fall-planted brassicas have been. Even as the temperature reaches down into the 20's, they still look pretty unscathed. Next year, I will be sure to start my fall cauliflower extra early and transplant them into the hoop house for good measure.
On a final note, I'm glad to note that this little head didn't go to waste. I gave it a good toss and the dogs decided that it was good enough to eat. Then again, labs will pretty much eat anything.
I had no idea dogs would eat cauliflower. At least not without some cheese sauce on it.
ReplyDeleteI also didn't have any luck with cauliflower this summer. It just isn't a summer crop.
ReplyDeleteI think they either need to sowed indoors in January or February for spring harvest, or later in August for fall harvest.
I had the same problem with broccoli. The heads never really developed from my spring crops, and the summer was so hot! Only one plant grew a broccoli. Better luck next year!
ReplyDeleteBetter luck next year...it was very hot this spring for the cauliflower. Well, at least the dogs enjoyed it!!
ReplyDeleteHaha. Typical dogs. Good for them. I think I would have had to try it myself though. ;)
ReplyDeleteThomas, same thing here! I planted them the same time as the broccoli, have been harvesting broccoli shoots for awhile, FINALLY saw little heads last week on the cauliflower then... they froze LOL...
ReplyDeleteThis has been such a good year for something, but for others - so bad. I always figure on losing something to the weather.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what next year's weather will be good for, and what will suffer. I guess that is why planting a good variety of crops every year is a great idea, one never knows what will succeed.
ReplyDeleteMy dogs won't do broc or celery....never tried cauli. :)
Darn!
ReplyDeleteThey will eat anything....dry wall included.
ReplyDeleteI have tried yet, but my brussel sprouts were a flop. They were just starting to form when the heavy frost hit, but I planted them also at the same time as the broccoli and their harvest was complete 2 weeks ago. Maybe next year. It took me 2 years to get the broccoli and cabbage right, so I refuse to give up!
ReplyDeleteAs always, everything looks beautiful, Thomas.
That was actually the beginnings of a nice head. I find cauliflower is more trouble than it is worth. I don't really like the blandness of it so the extra effort involved of growing it well is just not worth it to me. I prefer broccoli so that is what I plant. The dogs are gorgeous. :D
ReplyDeleteI can't believe your dogs ate raw cauliflower!!!
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