We Won The Cauliflower Battle!

After years of failing at growing cauliflower we switched to a new variety and grew over 20 pounds of cauliflower! Learn how we grow cauliflower from seeds that can withstand Summer heat and result in a big cauliflower harvest!

I’m not sure if you remember but a few months ago when planting our seeds I talked about how Matthew didn’t want to grow cauliflower this year because he thought it was a lost cause.  For so many years we used up space in the garden to get lackluster cauliflower results (if any).  Cauliflower has always been one of the harder vegetables for us to grow, and it’s been difficult for us to get anything but a few florets of harvest.   Because I couldn’t give up on the cauliflower, I talked Matthew into trying one more year.  Instead of trying our usual variety, I researched the different options and decided we were going to grow Snow Crown seeds to see if it made any difference.   With hearts in my eyes and rainbows in the sky, it worked!  You guys, it worked so great!   In the last 2 weeks we’ve picked close to 20 pounds of cauliflower!  

I’m so happy we pushed for one more year with the cauliflower and decided to try a new variety.  We went with Snow Crown because it was labeled as being able to be harvested in Summer or Fall so I figured it could take the heat.  Although Upstate is much cooler than NYC, it still does have days in the high 80’s (and sometimes 90’s) so it was important to find a type that could handle hot days.  When we used to grow on the roof in NYC the cauliflower would never last past the beginning of June, so it’s exciting to see it grow through July now!

If you’re curious about the purple tone on the cauliflower, that’s completely normal. Lots of cauliflower tend to turn purple after a while, it doesn’t affect the taste at all.  This specific variety often shows a purplish coloration on the undersides of the heads.  I think it gives it more character – plus isn’t the color beautiful?

Besides the cauliflower, July is harvest time for sugar snap peas, lettuce, kale and broccoli.  Last week we filled up a while wheelbarrow of fresh veggies to bring home. Look out for more cauliflower and sugar snap pea recipes coming soon.. but for now check out my Cauliflower Sugar Snap Pea Casserole that we’ve been loving!

Stay tuned for lots more harvest posts in the near future – it’s about to get vegetable crazy!