Norann Oleson, Editorial Director of Food Gardening Network
Norann Oleson, Editorial Director of Food Gardening Network
Have you tried cauliflower pizza crust? It’s all the rage in restaurants and grocery stores, and for good reason. Cauliflower is a power food that’s super good for you and super tasty as well. It makes a great substitute for high-carb foods like rice and bread.
You may have decided it’s time to learn to grow cauliflower in your own garden, and you’ve come to the right place. To help you tackle the finicky vegetable, we’ve prepared this marvelous, complete guide to everything cauliflower, from preparing the soil for planting to all the way to cooking some simple-to-prepare yet delicious recipes for eating the results of your hard work.
Read the collection’s Introduction to learn the basics about cauliflower, starting with the meaning of its name! You’ll also get the history of cauliflower so you’ll know what a noble and time-honored veggie it is. Then, in the Feature Articles, you’ll dig down into planting, nurturing, and harvesting your cauliflower, both in the garden and in containers.
Even if you’re an advanced food gardener, be sure to read the entire collection, because there’s a lot to know about growing cauliflower. We’ve pulled together all the information you need to take on this challenging crop.
Check out Plant Profiles to find out about five popular varieties of cauliflower, including details like how fast they mature, what color they are (yes, cauliflower comes in glorious color!) and what they taste like.
While there are about 80 North American varieties of cauliflower, we’ve chosen these five varieties because they are among the most popular and commonly grown. If you’d like us to include another cauliflower variety that appeals to you, please let me know by commenting below.
As always, we’ve included a carefully chosen assortment of easy and delicious cauliflower Recipes, including fritters, salads, and other creative uses of this healthy veggie. You’ll be especially proud to serve these dishes when you can also say that you grew the cauliflower yourself.
You’ll want to show off these dishes everywhere, from your kitchen table to potluck suppers. Try Loaded Cauliflower for a casual Sunday supper, or Cauliflower Fried Rice as a substitute for traditional fried rice—see what all the fuss is about in the restaurant world!
Next, you’ll learn Nutrition Facts about Cauliflower to find out exactly which nutrients are found in antioxidant-rich cauliflower, and to what degree. Health Benefits of Cauliflower explains to you why cauliflower is considered a power vegetable that makes it worth the effort you put into growing it in your garden.
To help you explore the wonderful world of cauliflower even further, we’ve included a Resources section that is complementary to this collection. We aim to give you everything you need to grow, harvest, and eat delicious cauliflower, but you can take a deeper dive into these additional resources by visiting the links provided.
Finally, you’ll find a brief Glossary at the end of this collection in case you need a fuller explanation of any key terms and concepts.
By the time you’ve finished reading this collection, you’ll be ready to take on cauliflower like a master gardener—without any fear! Get started right now and be the best cauliflower gardener you can be.
