Cauliflower plants are excellent for vegetable gardening in the home garden. If you are a beginner and have never had much experience with growing vegetables then cauliflower plants can be very easy to care for. This is because cauliflower is very forgiving. It can grow just about anywhere that is in shade and can handle being crowded, especially if you group it together in groups of three or four. You will find that they will do well in most areas where the soil has not been depleted of all its minerals and the temperatures have not been too hot or dry.
Companion planting is simply when two or more kinds of similar plants are planted with each one of them benefiting from the other. In many ways it is like growing vegetables that are in the same family. You can easily grow vegetables like cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and chives all in one spot because all of them can each use the same kind of climate and soil conditions. In some cases this allows plants to absorb more nutrients from the earth or it may mean that certain plants act as natural weed repellants or natural pest destroyers. However, you will find that once you start planting, cauliflower companion plants should do quite well on their own.
One of the easiest things to plant with cauliflower companion planting ideas is to grow a variety of onions, beans and tomatoes in the same bed as the cauliflower. All of these vegetables have a great deal to offer in the way of versatility and they all grow well together in most spaces. The main difference between the types of vegetables that you plant and the ones that you grow with other vegetable gardening methods is that beans and onions don’t really taste all that good in the garden unless they are cooked. Cauliflower however, can be cooked and its juices added to soups, stews, salads and other dishes.
Herbs like thyme, basil and oregano attract beneficial insects and birds to your garden all summer long. These insects and birds need the moisture that these plants provide and they will help to control the number of pests that seek out your vegetables. Some of the birds that will come looking for thyme are actually what are known as “bird catchers”. They will swoop in and grab any seeds that they can find. You can also add the oil from these herbs to your compost to deter pests from coming after your cauliflower companion plants.
You can also take advantage of a little-known fact when planting your cauliflowers. They will do best in partial shade and full sun. The reason behind this is that full sun will make your bulbs lose their shape and form. Partially shade will allow for more air to circulate around your plants and this will also encourage healthy growth. Keep in mind that most varieties of cauliflower have a short shelf-life so planting them when the ground is warm will ensure that they will last at least until next season.
If you plant your cauliflowers too close together they will actually compete with each other for nutrients. This will slow down their growth and can cause them to lose all of their leaves. If you plant your onions and cauliflowers too far apart, they will also be exposed to the sun which will burn them. It is best to plant them a few inches away from each other so that they have some space between them. Partially shaded areas can work as well, but it is best to plant them slightly farther apart.
A very easy and popular companion plant for cauliflower is Rosemary. You will enjoy the strong aroma of Rosemary in your kitchen as well as having a strong aromatic smell that works well with your other garden plants. When planting Rosemary, do not plant it directly beneath any other herbs or flowers because they will compete with them for light.
Other healthy vegetables to consider planting alongside your cauliflower plants are potatoes and carrots. You can grow your vegetables at the same time without having to worry about them stealing sunlight. Carrots and potatoes both make tasty and nutritious vegetables so they should be a good choice to pair up with your cauliflowers. Not only will you have a tastier vegetable crop, but you will have more room in your vegetable garden for other plants and vegetables as well.