Master Gardeners of Napa County had a cauliflower seedling give-away last September. I picked up three different varietals – “Amazing” (looks like a standard white variety you see in the grocery store), “Veronica” (a cone-shaped, chartreuse beauty), and Graffiti (purple, and loaded with beneficial anthocyanin antioxidants). I have never managed to successfully grow cauliflower in my veggie beds. I was curious to see if I might have better success this time around in an area that I had recently converted from a Bermuda grass and Malva parviflora “lawn” into a new, compost-enriched edible landscape that includes (self-seeding) Mache lettuce (Valeriana locusta), calendulas, Swiss chard, culinary sage, lavender, licorice plant, and Egyptian onions sprinkled throughout.
Following the advice of the expert, masked and gloved distribution team, I kept the four-inch pots in a cool, shaded location, since a two-week heat wave was forecast and planted the five-inch seedlings in early October. The warm fall and hand-watering got the seedlings well established in time for the first sparse rains and cooler temperatures. By late February the “Amazing” was about 11 inches across and the other two varietals about 8 inches.
Following are instructions for growing cauliflower successfully. Plant starts now to get them growing before summer heat sets in.
Sun Requirements — Cauliflower is a cool-season crop, but it needs full sun, at least 6 hours a day. Site your plants in a south-facing area where they will receive winter sun. Plants will not tolerate blazing heat. Be prepared to protect your plants from a hot spell in late summer or early fall by shading them and watering more.
Watering — Water deeply using drip or furrow irrigation, and avoid wetting the leaves. To produce hard, solid, flavorful heads, the plants must not experience water stress. If the plants do not receive consistent rainfall or irrigation, they will have poor texture and may develop strong “off” flavors. Dig down to see how far water is penetrating; water to 8 inches twice a week, less when rains start.
Planting — Cauliflower plants can get very large, so space them at least 18 inches apart, more if possible. When transplanting cauliflower bury them to the first leaf. To avoid a build-up of soil diseases, don't plant cole crops in the same spot each year. See crop rotation, Napa MGs Healthy Garden Tips → Vegetables→ Crop Rotation http://napamg.ucanr.edu/Gardening_Books/Healthy_Garden_Tips_A/
Chewed leaves are often caused by imported cabbageworm http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/r108301111.html . Treat chewed leaves by picking off the green caterpillars or spray with Bt, Bacillus thurengiensis. It is a safe, naturally derived pesticide. It will also kill butterfly larva (caterpillars), so use prudently.
Harvest cauliflower when it forms a nice head or “curd” 5 to 6 inches in diameter, 75-85 days. It can be as little as 55 days or as many as 100. If you leave it in the garden too long, it will start to flower, becoming bitter and inedible. Blanching (tying the leaves up) is not necessary for colored cauliflower. The white “Amazing” cauliflower is self-blanching.
Master Gardeners are following recommended social distancing guidelines that keep everyone safe, Napa Master Gardeners are available to answer garden questions by email: mastergardeners@countyofnapa.org. or phone at 707-253-4143. Volunteers will get back to you after they research answers to your questions.
Visit our website: napamg.ucanr.edu to find answers to all of your horticultural questions.
Photo credits: Rainer Hoenicke
References: UCANR Publication 7219
sonomamg.ucanr/Food_Gardening/Feature_Vegetables/Cauliflower/
As a 2020 graduate of the MG program and a relatively new resident of Napa, I have delighted in my garden adventures and decided I would like to share a story regarding my cherry trees. I inherited my three mature, overgrown trees upon moving to Napa. Having no previous experience with cherry trees, I enrolled in a MG class to learn about pruning. The class was well attended and questions answered about when to prune, how much to prune, shaping trees for growth, possible pests and pest prevention. Fortified with new knowledge, I was confident and anxious to get on with the new relationship with my cherry trees.
By the third winter's pruning my trees had a noticeable problem. A resin-like oozing had developed on some of the branches, especially around pruning cuts. My trees were ill. How could this be as I was carefully following instructions disinfecting my tools after each cut and making sure my tools were sharp and cuts clean? My trees were being attacked and I needed more answers as to what to do. Fearful that something was terribly wrong, I knew I needed experienced advice. With pictures in hand, I went to the Help Desk. The diagnosis was bacterial canker. A new strategy would have to be used for future care of my cherry trees. After further investigation and study, I decided not to prune in the winter months to avoid canker infestation. There's always a lesson to be learned with our lives in the garden.
With the canker hopefully under control, I was excited to see the plentiful crop arriving that next May. I began speculating on more recipes and options for the cherries and my excitement was intensified as those red beauties ripened. Unfortunately, a week of heavy rain and bad weather hit Napa and devastated my long-awaited cherries. Mold and rot quickly took over and I was only able to harvest a bowl of the delectable fruit – a lost season.
Now into my fourth crop, I once again have good production. Such a wonderful feeling, and, in my excitement, I wanted to share my experience with you.
Master Gardeners are following recommended social distancing guidelines that keep everyone safe. Napa Master Gardeners are available to answer garden questions by email: mastergardeners@countyofnapa.org. or phone at 707-253-4143. Volunteers will get back to you after they research answers to your questions.
Visit our website: napamg.ucanr.edu to find answers to all of your horticultural questions.
Photo credits: Dee De Ocampo
Reference: http://fruitandnuteducation.ucdavis.edu/fruitnutproduction/Cherry/
by Mary Hudson
When I moved into my current home, I found that downsizing meant not only downsizing my house, but my garden as well. I inherited lots of roses, but there was precious little space for a vegetable garden. I managed to create a spot for one raised bed by getting rid of a small lawn, but there still wasn't enough room for everything I wanted to plant, and I definitely was not going to take out the roses. What a dilemma! A “crafty” friend of mine came up with an idea to build some small vegetable boxes that could be attached to a fence outside my kitchen window that has sun all day long. I started both the beets and carrots from seed. I didn't start them indoors. 
Of course, I won't have a huge crop, but certainly enough for a family of two. I plan to harvest in a month or two and do it again. This has been a satisfying and attractive solution to my small space garden. My advice…don't let limited space stop you from having your very own vegetable garden. Nothing tastes better than something that you've picked from your garden for dinner.
Resources:
Roses: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/rose.html
Lawn removal: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/TOOLS/TURF/RENOVATE/comremtrf.html
Lawn removal: http://sonomamg.ucanr.edu/Lawn_Replacement/Grass_Removal_Methods/
Lawn alternatives: http://sonomamg.ucanr.edu/Lawn_Replacement/Water-Wise_Lawn_Alternatives/
"Gardening on small and large lots" -authors Sara Malone and Sandy Metzger :http://sonomamg.ucanr.edu/Feature_Articles/The_Challenge_of_Garden_Size/
UC Master Gardeners Tulare County, tips for successful container gardening: https://ucanr.edu/sites/UC_Master_Gardeners/files/139278.pdf
Hanging baskets and window boxes: https://ucanr.edu/sites/UC_Master_Gardeners/files/287091.pdf
UC ANR California Garden Web: http://cagardenweb.ucanr.edu/Vegetables/
"Plant a European Window box at Home" Author: Janet Hartin Pub. Sept 2, 2019: https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=31223
During Napa County's shelter in place directive that protects everyone's health and safety, Napa Master Gardeners are available to answer garden questions by email: mastergardeners@countyofnapa.org. or phone at 707-253-4143. Volunteers will get back to you after they research answers to your questions.
Visit our website: napamg.ucanr.edu to find answers to all of your horticultural questions.
Photo credits: Mary Hudson
