Content
Cauliflower is characterized by excellent taste and high content of vitamins and minerals. Therefore, many gardeners plant it in their garden plots. Growing cauliflower in the Moscow region, like any other region of the country, does not cause any special problems if the process is properly organized. Therefore, it is worth studying in advance the features of planting and further caring for the vegetable in order to reap a good harvest at the end of the season.
Cauliflower is second only to white cabbage in popularity.
Features of the climate of the region
Active vegetation of this crop occurs at a temperature of +15-18 °C, and this fully corresponds to the climatic characteristics of the Moscow region. However, it is worth considering that spring return frosts are not uncommon for this region, which can cause damage to fragile seedlings of the crop. Therefore, for the middle zone it is necessary to select varieties with an accelerated growth rate, which will allow you to get a good vegetable harvest even with late planting.The best option is early and middle types of crops.
Late varieties of cauliflower are not suitable for growing in the Moscow region. Their active growth occurs in mid-July, when the air temperature in the region rises above +25 °C. And this negatively affects the further development of seedlings, which leads to a lack of harvest.
Dates for planting cauliflower in the Moscow region and the middle zone
To successfully grow cauliflower in the Moscow region, it is necessary to plant the vegetable within strictly designated periods. This will allow it to begin growth in a timely manner and form inflorescences. You can plant vegetables in a greenhouse at the end of April, when the soil has warmed up sufficiently to a depth of 10 cm. And planting cauliflower in open ground is recommended from May 10, subject to favorable conditions.
It is recommended to plant vegetables in the ground after the return frosts have passed.
How to grow cauliflower in the Moscow region
You can grow cauliflower in the Moscow region by seedlings and seeds. Each of these methods has its own characteristics that are worth paying attention to.
Growing seedlings
It is better to sow cauliflower in the Moscow region in mid-March for further cultivation in a greenhouse or at the end of this month for open ground.
Wide containers 10 cm high with drainage holes are suitable for sowing. Fill them with a nutrient mixture consisting of turf, humus, sand, peat in a ratio of 2:1:1:1. A couple of days before planting, it is necessary to water the substrate with a solution of potassium permanganate to disinfect it, and then dry it slightly.
To successfully grow cauliflower, it is also necessary to carry out pre-sowing preparation of the vegetable seeds. It involves soaking the planting material in Epin solution for three hours. This will increase the viability of plants at an early stage of development.
Algorithm of actions when landing:
- Water the soil in the container and wait until the moisture is absorbed.
- Level and compact the soil surface.
- Place the seeds 1 cm apart.
- Sprinkle them with a 1 cm thick layer of soil.
- Moisten the soil with a spray bottle.
After planting, cover the container with transparent film or glass and move it to a dark place with a temperature of +20-22 °C. When shoots appear, move the container to a light windowsill and lower the maintenance regime to +17-19 °C.
Cauliflower seeds germinate in 3-5 days
Caring for seedlings involves moderate watering as needed. When the seedlings become stronger, they need to be adapted to external conditions and the film or glass removed. At the stage of two true leaves, it is recommended to plant the seedlings into separate cups, using the same soil as when sowing. Two weeks after this, carry out the first fertilizing with nitroammophos at the rate of 30 g per 10 liters of water.
Transplantation into open ground
By the time the seedlings are planted in a permanent place, they should be 40-50 days old, and the seedlings should also have time to grow 4-5 true leaves. The day before transplanting, it is necessary to spray the plants with Epin solution, which minimizes stress.
Cauliflower should be planted in holes 5 cm deep. They must be watered first.When planting, plants should be buried down to the first pair of leaves, which stimulates the development of a powerful root system. The recommended planting pattern is 30 by 30 cm.
Growing cauliflower in a greenhouse
You can also grow cauliflower in the Moscow region by direct sowing in the ground. It is recommended to do this in a greenhouse. Plant in rows to a depth of 1-2 cm at a distance of 15 cm. After this, water the bed generously.
When friendly shoots appear, it is recommended to loosen the row spacing to maintain air access to the cauliflower roots. Water and weed as needed. As soon as the plants grow 4-5 true leaves, they must be planted at a distance of 30 by 30 cm.
This vegetable can be planted after nightshades, beets, cucumbers, beans, and onions.
Caring for cauliflower in the Moscow region
Successful cultivation of cauliflower in the Moscow region directly depends on compliance with the basic requirements of the crop. Therefore, it is necessary to know them in advance in order to provide adequate care.
Watering and loosening
Cauliflower, like white cabbage, is a moisture-loving crop. Therefore, when growing it in the Moscow region, it is necessary to ensure regular watering during a long absence of rain. Carry it out every evening until the seedlings form 10-12 leaves. In the future, moisturizing is required as needed, preventing the roots from drying out. For irrigation, it is recommended to use settled water at a temperature of +20 °C.
Also, when growing cauliflower, it is important that the soil has good aeration, which promotes root growth. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly loosen the soil at the base of the seedlings. It is also recommended to hill up cauliflower as it grows to strengthen the plants.
Shading
To grow cauliflower in the middle zone and Moscow region with a beautiful, uniform shade, it is recommended to shade it from direct sunlight. To do this, when the head of cabbage reaches the size of a walnut, fix the two top leaves together.
Top dressing
Successful cultivation of vegetables in the Moscow region requires timely fertilizing. It is recommended to use fertilizers for the first time two weeks after planting the seedlings in a permanent place. For this you can use chicken manure 1:15 or mullein 1:10. Carry out the second feeding 10-14 days after the previous one. Superphosphate 40 g and potassium sulphide 25 g per bucket of water are suitable for it.
Under each cauliflower bush you need to pour 1 liter of nutrient solution
Protection from diseases and pests
Cauliflower does not react well to sudden temperature changes. This is the main reason for vegetable damage by fungal diseases. Therefore, when growing cauliflower in the Moscow region, it is recommended for preventive purposes to spray the bushes every 10-14 days with Fitosporin. But you need to take into account that the drug is washed off by rain in the first three hours after treatment.
Growing a vegetable also involves protecting it from pests. Most often, cauliflower in the Moscow region suffers from slugs, cruciferous flea beetles, and cabbage aphids. In the first case, you need to sprinkle wood ash at the base of the bushes, and in case of mass reproduction of pests, spread metaldehyde-based granules. For other insects, it is recommended to spray the above-ground parts with Fufanon, Actellik, and Fitoverm.
Harvesting
When growing this type of cabbage, it is important to harvest the crop in a timely manner as it ripens. Otherwise, the heads disintegrate or may bloom, which leads to a decrease in their consumer properties. Cut the cauliflower with the top leaves and stalk 5 cm long. This allows you to keep the vegetable fresh for as long as possible.
Conclusion
Growing cauliflower in the Moscow region is quite capable of being mastered by a novice gardener. But the main key to success is the correct choice of variety, which will allow the harvest to ripen before the onset of frost. Otherwise, this culture is considered undemanding. It is enough just to adhere to the standard rules of care when growing it and strictly follow the recommendations.
