

Different types of mold will infect and kill seedlings at the base and down to the roots, causing them to flop over and die this is a disease called damping off. If soil or potting mix is too wet, that will encourage mold which can aggressively attack small, tender sprouts. Why Do My Cauliflower Sprouts Keep Dying? If the soil (outdoors) or potting mix (indoors) you’ve planted your seeds in is too wet, cauliflower seeds can easily rot before they germinate. If you’ve directly sown outdoors, you can speed up germination by placing clear plastic or garden fleece over the soil until you see sprouts or the weather warms up.

Temperatures below 50☏ (10☌) can significantly slow down germination. The ideal temperature for cauliflower germination is around 70☏ (21☌), or room temperature. Your seeds will take longer to sprout in cold conditions, so you may need to wait longer. If you have old cauliflower seeds, you may need to plant more of them to get the same number of plants. Normal germination rate for fresh cauliflower seeds is around 80% or higher. Related Questions About Starting Cauliflower from Seed Why Aren’t My Cauliflower Seeds Germinating?Ĭauliflower seeds have an average “shelf life” of around 4 years, after which the rate of germination drops significantly. To transplant cauliflower seedlings, space them 18 inches or more apart in well-draining, rich soil. If directly sowing outdoors, again sow 1/2 an inch deep, 2 to 3 cauliflower seeds (more if your seeds are old) at least 18 inches apart or more. If multiple seeds germinate, thin to 1 cauliflower seed per pot/cell. Keep potting soil evenly moist but not soggy, which could cause seeds or seedlings to rot. When starting indoors, sow 2 to 3 cauliflower seeds up to 1/2 an inch deep in small nursery pots or seed starting trays/flats.
#Best way to grow cauliflower from seed how to
How to Sow and Transplant Cauliflower Seeds If you are planning to have your cauliflower mature into the fall, sow around 12 to 14 weeks before your average first fall frost date. Sowing Cauliflower Seeds for a Fall Harvest Although cauliflower is cold hardy, tender seedlings are more vulnerable to frost and can benefit from some protection like garden fleece, row covers, or some clear plastic over them. Much like other brassicas, cauliflower seeds will take around 1 to 2 weeks to germinate, usually within 10 days if sown at room temperature.Īround 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date, you can transplant your cauliflower seedlings outdoors. Sow cauliflower seeds indoors 4 to 7 weeks before your average last frost date. You can sow cauliflower directly outdoors (under row covers or plastic), but for best success, you should start your cauliflower seeds indoors and transplant later. When to Sow and Transplant Cauliflower Seeds How Can I Stop Pests from Eating My Cauliflower Seedlings?.Why Do My Cauliflower Sprouts Keep Dying?.Why Aren’t My Cauliflower Seeds Germinating?.Related Questions About Starting Cauliflower from Seed.How to Sow and Transplant Cauliflower Seeds.Sowing Cauliflower Seeds for a Fall Harvest.When to Sow and Transplant Cauliflower Seeds.
