Wednesday 14 July 2021

Growing Cauliflower In My Garden

This is the 2nd time I tried to grow cauliflower in my garden. The first time was in January, 2018 and the cauliflower didn't turn out well and was small in size. If you are interested, you can click here to read about it. I sowed a few cauliflower seeds and only 3 sprouted. I forgot to jot down the date, so I can't tell you how long it took for the cauliflower to form. When the seedlings were big enough, I transferred them into individual bigger pots.

They kept growing and everyday, I will be looking out for sign of cauliflower.
I even peeped into the centre to check.
The leaves were big and waxy on the surface.
I even doubted whether the seeds I sowed were Chinese Kai Lan or Cauliflower.
Finally, one morning I noticed something different at the centre.
I used my hand phone to zoom in to take a closer look.
Yes! This was clearly a cauliflower! Hooray!
The 3 plants formed their cauliflower at different time.
From the size of a ping pong ball, it grew to the size of a tennis ball.
Beautiful cauliflower.
Can you see the little fly resting on the cauliflower?
This is another one of the cauliflower.
Beautiful creamy colour.
Out of the 3 plants, this was the first cauliflower to form. Before I could harvest it, it started to turn purple. One of the reasons could be due to over exposure to the sun. I checked with Google and found that it is still edible but the taste may not be as good as the normal white or beige.
This cauliflower was about the size of my palm at the time of harvest.
I blanched the cauliflower and drizzled garlic oil and roasted sesame dressing for dinner.
This is the 2nd cauliflower which I have just harvested together with some green chilies. These green chilies will rot before they are fully ripen. A check with Google revealed that it could be due to blossom end rot which is deficiency in calcium in the soil. Some said it could be due to too much water.
I still have one last cauliflower in the garden waiting to be harvested any day soon. This is the best part of gardening. Getting to see the plants grow, harvesting and getting to taste the fruits is the best reward. Feeling very encouraged, I am going to sow some more cauliflower seeds again.


Anxious hearts are very heavy,
but a word of encouragement does wonders!
(Proverbs 12:25, The Living Bible-TLB)

68 comments:

  1. Congrats! So good to see them. I remember reading your doubts whether or not that they are kailan. Luckily you hang on and didn't harvest the so called Kai lan. All the best to you growing more cauliflower. How many seeds will you sow next?

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    1. Thank you, Mun. I sowed 5 seeds but only 3 tiny sprouts appeared.

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  2. Wowwwwwww!!!! I kowtow to you!!! In my case, simple veg and plants can barely survive - I don't dare attempt anything like this. Pat on the back!!! Keep up the good work.

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    1. In my case, I find that cauliflower is easier to grow than other leafy vegetables. Every time I tried, the leafy vegetables do not grow well.

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  3. I admire the cauliflowers and your patience. Enjoy your meal .

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  4. As I said it before, you are an excellent gardener. From garden to table...just perfect, Nancy.

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  5. I am impressed with your cauliflower! I wish I could grow cauliflower too but I lack patience. I enjoy eating cauliflower but getting a nice fresh one from teh supermarket is challenging. Usually there are already black spots growing on the cauliflower and it does not keep well. Ah, I see that you have green cili padi too!

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    1. It took me by surprise too, didn't expect the cauliflower to turn out so well. Hope to grow more cauliflowers instead of the leafy vegetables. Yes, the green chili grew from seeds that I discarded.

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  6. My family doesnt seem to enjoy cauliflower. Seldom buy and eat it.

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    1. I don't always buy cauliflower. Only once in a while.

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  7. Well done Nacy, perseverance was rewarded. Love cauliflower.

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  8. ...I have some in my garden and the insects are enjoying them.

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    1. Oh no, I hope the insects won't come for my cauliflowers.

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  9. You did a great job with them Nancy - enjoy!

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  10. Nothing better than fresh from your garden. It's beautiful. I'm glad you didn't give up.

    Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.

    Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday, Nancy. ♥

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    1. Thank you, Sandee. I am glad I didn't give up too.

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  11. The way you cook and season the cauliflower is good.

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  12. So nice! I like how you spice up the recipe, too!

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  13. What a great garden :) thanks for your sharing...

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  14. Replies
    1. Thank you, Ginny. Actually, not everything. I am not good with leafy vegetables.

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  15. IT is very common in Poland and yummy one

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  16. congratulaions! I don’t grow cauliflower myself, but love it - yummy!

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  17. Well done, I have given up trying to grow Cabbage, cauliflower or broccoli, They get eaten so badly that they are a waste of time. We have very little here that we can buy to stop insects so it is now easier to just buy them, sad but!! keep safe Diane

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    1. I think it is the same as I struggled to grow leafy vegetables. Sometimes, it is easier to buy them.

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  18. The cauliflowers look good! I used to grow my own but the caterpillars ate most them before we could.

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    1. I was afraid of the caterpillars too but so far they haven't.

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  19. wowee- I wish I had your green thumb! I bet that cauliflower tasted yummy! Nothing better than home grown veggies! have a lovely day!

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  20. I have never grown my own cauliflower, but I have always wanted to... yours looks so lush!! Now I wanna try my hand at it... I only have garlic, tomato, mint, lavender, chives and rosemary in my garden right now!
    http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com

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    1. I haven't tried to grow garlic or herbs. I tried tomato but gave up because of the mealy bugs. I find Chinese chives easy to grow.

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  21. I do like cauliflower. My mother would make it with a white sauce and nutmeg.

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  22. Linda coliflor, esta muy apetitosa. Te mando un beso

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  23. You are a very good gardener!

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  24. homegrown cauliflower! so organic and pest-free!

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  25. I do not like cauliflower since my dad made me eat it as a child

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  26. Me alegra ver tu cosecha de coliflor ¡ muy bien ! Besos.

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  27. It's so great to grow your own food! I'm so happy for you.

    I'm so happy to see your link at My Corner of the World this week!

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  28. 3 plants out of 5 seeds is an excellent record already. 2nd and 3rd cauliflower not getting purple at all too.

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    1. The best was the 3rd cauliflower. Out of the 3, it was the only one in semi shade. In future, I must remember to place them in semi shade.

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