INPUT ARTICLE: Article: 5 inches (2.5 - 3.75 cm) of water per week. The most important idea when it comes to growing cauliflower is that of consistency. Cauliflower plants need consistent access to moisture and nutrients or their growth won't be consistent. If the plants' growth isn't consistent, the final product that you eat won't have as good of taste or texture. After planting your cauliflower plants, ensure that each receives frequent watering so that its soil is consistently damp (but not waterlogged). This usually means that the plants should be receiving roughly 1 - 1.5 inches of water per week and that the moisture should be penetrating roughly 6 inches (15.2 cm) deep. Note that rainfall can contribute towards this watering goal. Thus, if you experience frequent rainfall, it's possible that you may rarely need to water. Once the seedlings are growing in your garden, cover the soil with a light layer of mulch to help retain moisture and regulate temperature. When cauliflower seedlings are young and fragile, they are vulnerable to a variety of garden pests, including cabbage worm, aphids, harlequin bugs, and more. This especially true in cases where cauliflower is being planted as a spring crop, as the end of the winter months usually coincide with a surge in insect populations. Some of these pests can interfere with the cauliflower's growth cycle - others can eat the plant to ground, ruining your crop entirely, so managing these pests at the first sign of trouble is a top concern for serious gardeners. Nontoxic pest treatments include diatomaceous earth, soap sprays, and cultural practices such as controlling humidity or introducing predator insects. Look up integrated pest management practices to find out more. You can also use plant-friendly pesticides, but read the label carefully. Using the wrong pesticide or applying pesticide incorrectly could damage your plants or make the vegetable unsafe to eat. To prevent pests from reaching your cauliflower, try cutting old milk jugs in half and laying them over the seedlings for protection. If growth is slow or you suspect your soil is low quality, test your soil. If your soil is relatively low in nitrogen (N) and potassium (K), bolster these nutrients with fertilizer. Apply a fertilizer high in the missing nutrient(s) every two to three weeks. You may also apply seaweed extract to supply boron, an important nutrient. For a large home garden, you can use a mixture of 5 quarts of fertilizer for every 100 feet (30.5m) of crop row. Use a technique called side-dressing to administer your fertilizer to the maturing plant. Dig a shallow, narrow furrow parallel to each row of plants about 6 to 8 inches away from the plants' stems. Pour the fertilizer into this furrow, rake the soil, and then water. This ensures that the fertilizer can be administered in equal, constant proportions to each plant and helps minimize the danger of over-fertilizing. . As the cauliflower grows, a small "head" will begin to form at the center of its leaves (note that this is sometimes also called the "curd"). For ordinary white cauliflower, if this head is exposed to light while it is growing, it will yellow and darken. Though a darkened head of cauliflower is still edible, it is less visually appealing and will have a less-tender texture. Thus, it's important to use a process called "blanching" to keep the head pale and white. When the head is roughly the size of an egg, bend the plant's own leaves over the head so that it is shaded from sunlight. If necessary, use twine or rubber bands to hold the leaves in place. Trapping moisture around the head can cause the plant to rot. Confirm the head is dry before blanching, and take care not to get any water on the head while it is bound. Don't bind leaves so tightly around the head that air cannot reach it. Note that non-white varieties of cauliflower (like purple, green, or orange cauliflower) do not need to be blanched. Additionally, some varieties of white cauliflower are bred to be "self-blanching", with leaves that naturally protect the head as it grows. After blanching, continue caring for the plant as normal, occasionally removing the leaves around the head to monitor its growth and allow moisture to escape after watering. When the head is large (roughly 6 inches (15.2 cm) across), white, and firm, it is ready to be harvested. This can be anywhere from a few days to a few weeks after blanching, depending on your climate (growth is generally faster in hot weather). Cut the head from the base of the plant with a knife, leaving a few leaves attached to protect the head. Rinse, dry, remove the leaves, and enjoy. Cauliflower can be stored in a variety of ways. It will last for roughly a week in the refrigerator and can be frozen or pickled for long-term storage. Alternatively, cauliflower can also be stored by pulling the plant up by its roots and hanging it upside down in a cool place for up to a month.

SUMMARY: Water consistently, providing 1 - 1. Mulch the planting area. Be ready to protect young cauliflower from pests. Fertilize to supplement the cauliflower's growth. Blanch the head to prevent it from darkening Harvest when heads are large, white, and firm.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Write down your ideas in a notebook. Some basics to bear in mind include: Whether they're geared toward children or adults, most great stories share a few basic elements: The main character, supporting characters, an interesting setting and a plot that includes a central conflict, trouble brewing, a climax, and a resolution. For non-fiction or informational works: The book needs to inform the reader about history, people, events, real things or how-to instructions. Picture books: These require a lot of illustration, usually in full color, which can make printing more expensive. Text is limited but needs to be both good and originalthere is quite an art to limiting words and still putting across and excellent story. Many children's books include a positive message, ranging from simple standards, like "share with others," to more complex life lessons on topics like handling the death of a loved one or how to think about big issues like caring for the environment or respecting other cultures. It isn't necessary to include a straightforward message, so don't force itif you do, your lesson may come off as heavy-handed, which won't be appealing to kids. If writing fiction, this is your chance to write something silly, strange, nerdy, dreamy, fantastical. What inspired you as a child? Go there, explore those ideas. This doesn't mean you should throw in something wacky for no good reason, though. Tap into feelings that are sincere and actions that make sense for your character. Readers can immediately pick up on writing that seems false, and that's when they put down the book. And if writing non-fiction, this is your chance to share your knowledge and research with future generations of chefs, engineers, and artists! Importantly, be creative but also accurateit's a fine balance between keeping it light and still ensuring that the content is fact-checked thoroughly and understandable or doable by children. Consider pitching the idea to a child, like a niece or nephew, cousin, or the child of a close friend. Children typically give very honest feedback, so they can help you evaluate if your story will be interesting to their age group.

SUMMARY:
Decide on the main components of your story. Consider incorporating a message for fiction works. Be creative.