Cauliflower Seeds,
Rober

Rober Cauliflower is best grown in the cool seasons of spring and fall. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date for spring planting. For a fall harvest, sow seeds in late summer. This timing helps avoid the intense heat of midsummer, which can cause stress to the plants. If you’re not sure how to find your first and last frost dates, consult our blog post 'Our Experts Answer Questions, Share Resources.'

Sow Rober cauliflower seeds about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep in well-draining, fertile soil. Once seedlings have 2-3 true leaves, transplant them outdoors, spacing them 18-20 inches apart in rows that are 24-30 inches apart. Cauliflower grows best in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.

Maintain consistent moisture, as cauliflower needs steady hydration for proper head development. Mulching helps retain soil moisture and keep the roots cool. Fertilize with a nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer or compost tea every 3-4 weeks during the growing season. If the heads start to form and you want to maintain their color, you can blanch them by tying the outer leaves over the heads.

• For a seed saving crop, isolate cauliflower from other brassicas (such as broccoli and kale) by one mile to avoid cross pollination.
• Select your best plants to keep for seed and leave them to flower.
• In short-season areas with harsh winters, the plants can be mulched and left in the ground with a row cover, and in the second season the plant will send up flower stalks from the head. As they mature, they will become seed pods.
• Once the plant has died back and the seed stalks/pods are brown and dry, pull the entire plant and hang it for up to two weeks in a dry, well-ventilated area.
• Break open the seed pods with your hands or a rolling pin over a container such as a bowl or plate, and separate and extract the seeds.
• Properly stored (keep them cool and dry!), the seeds of cauliflower and other brassicas will be viable for up to five years.