Hardened and placed in the paired brassica rows.
Part IV · Crop record 10
Cauliflower
Cauliflower remained visibly unchanged through August 20 and became the season's most frustrating crop—an honest lesson in pest pressure, timing, and unmet expectations.
Growth timeline
The season in three field marks
Bt and hand removal addressed caterpillars in tight spaces; three plants were heavily infested.
The spring crop remained visibly unchanged while nearby mature broccoli passed a clean pest scout.
Planting
Cauliflower followed the same indoor-start and April hardening path as broccoli. A fall succession began in the July tray.
Fertilization
Compost top-dressing and 4-6-3 supported the outdoor row; fall seedlings followed a diluted liquid-feed schedule only after establishment.
Irrigation
Even moisture came from rainfall or brief drip runs, never automatic watering after a wet day.
Pest history
Brassica caterpillars hid deep in folds and crowns, requiring targeted Bt placement and repeat inspection.
Harvest progression
No confirmed cauliflower harvest is recorded in the July notes; the spring crop is documented mainly as a pest-management lesson.
Companion record
Shared two rows, feeding practices, and pest scouting with broccoli.
Organic practices
Bt, hand removal, crown inspection, and a cooler-season succession were the core responses.
Yield
No confirmed head harvest in the record; three plants suffered heavy infestation and the fall crop remained in seedling stage.