[rowlandwells]

we planted our summer caulis in a raised bed the seed was started of in modules potted on then transplanted in a raised bed they where looking good growing well a good frame but no cauliflowers ? and if they did appear they where only as big as golf balls not worth the effort one mite say

yet we where watching Beachgrove garden program the other day  and George Anderson one of the presenters cut a lovely cauliflower I think the variety was Zaragoza  a cub resistant variety but they looked perfect really put ours to shame so I ask myself where did I go wrong because  the winter sown varieties usually turn out ok having said that the frost killed all our winter cauliflower plants due to be planted out come spring

so try as one must I'm going to so try sowing cauliflowers to overwinter again  and also give George's Zaragoza variety a go come spring but  any advise some of you who grow cauliflowers mite have would be most appreciated you never know I mite actually grow some summer cauliflowers with your help

[jaydig]

It would be worth giving Zaragoza a try.  I've grown them on the allotment before now and they've produced a very good quality crop.   As with anything though it depends on the soil and the weather involved. The soil on my plot was quite heavy and had plenty of manure dug into it if that's any help.  Unfortunately there's nothing that can be done about the weather.

[Snow]

What spacing do you use? Most need about 2ft I think and they are hungry plants too

I grow igloo early in the year, can be grown large if given enough space or this year I grew them just 30cm apart for mini cauliflowers. They were bred for that purpose think. I sow them end of february in modules, plant out end of march/start april, cover with fleece then netting and harvest june/July. I don't grow overwintering ones.  They'll go in a bed that will have had compost spread during the winter. Also I grow autumn romanesco, its too late to try that this year though. Can recommend, they look great

Almost 8lb one from last year and smaller one this year

[rowlandwells]

thanks to both of you for your replies that are duly noted also I like the idea of a mini cauli some thing worth a try next season as well as zaragoza seed  also I thought about planting  the cauli plant in some breathable plastic sheeting to both keep the weds down and maybe it mite keep the soil from drying out to quick ?