Plant the young transplants in the garden on a cool, cloudy day or late in the afternoon. It is a good idea to apply a starter fertilizer at planting time. Plant cauliflower two feet apart in rows 30 to 36 inches apart. This keeps the head white, protecting it from sunscald and turning yellow and off-flavored. Tie the outside leaves loosely over the head with a strip of old nylon stocking or soft cloth.
Some gardens use spring-type clothespins to tie the cauliflower leaves up.
The heads will be ready for harvest one to two weeks after covering, depending on the weather. Check the head every few days so that it does not become overmature. Harvest cauliflower heads when they are six or more inches in diameter but before the flower parts separate. For fall plantings, transplants are started in early July and set out in the garden in early August. Mulch around the young plants and keep them well-watered.