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The rock garden in winter. Ericas, or heathers, provide colour. Old growth is left until the very early spring to give protection to the crowns. 

The Gardener’s Diary © 1974

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Lemon thyme, being cut here, is a kitchen herb worth investigating. 

HP Books: Herbs, How to Select, Grow and Enjoy © 1981

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Cauliflower. Seed catalogs list several varieties of cauliflower (Brasica oleracea variety botrytis) but success with this vegetable depends on working backward from the date of maturity so the plants begin to mature in cool weather. In most regions this means fall. Unless you live in a cool moist climate and have really fertile soil, cauliflower will probably present more problems than broccoli, kale or cabbage. The quicker growing varieties can be set as soon as the danger of frost is past to secure rapid growth before hot weather. However, it is best grown as a late fall crop, setting out plants in midsummer. 

Cauliflower has the reputation of being difficult to grow, but in practice success depends on the quality of the soil. In good soils, rich in organic matter, they are easy; in poor soils the gardener’s skills are fully tested and in this situation the fall-maturing varieties will often be the most successful. 

Site and Soil. Select an open sunny site. Cauliflower grows best in well-cultivated soils which you can further improve by adding plenty of very well-rotted organic matter. This gives rapid growth and good-sized curds (the name given to the white cauliflower heads). If the soil is acid, give it a dusting of lime. This is a help to all the cabbage family. 

EARLY VARIETIES | Summer Maturing cauliflowers

Sowing Instructions. Sow indoors in peat pots eight to ten weeks before average date of last frost. After the third leaf (two round seed leaves will be followed by the third, which is rough-edged and the first true leaf) appears, the potted seedlings need cold frame or Hotkap protection to produce sturdy plants. 

How to Grow. Plant out in the growing site 18in (45cm) apart after danger of frost is past. Hoe occasionally to control weeds or mulch the plants. If cold wet conditions cause a check of growth, turning the plants bluish green, apply liquid fertilizer or scratch in a nitrogen-high fertilizer such as nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia into the soil around plants at the rate of 1oz per sq yd (30gm per sqm).

FALL | Late Cauliflowers

Sowing Instructions. Sow outdoors in a seed bed in early summer, the seed just covered, in rows 9in (23cm) apart. 

How to Grow. Water the plants well before transplanting into the growing site. Leave 20-24 in (50-60cm) between plants and between rows. As the curds (heads) begin to develop break the midrib of a few large leaves and fold these outer leaves over the cauliflower head. This keeps the heads beautifully white. The purple and green varieties do not require blanching. 

Harvesting. Rows of cauliflower have the habit of all maturing ready for harvest at the same time. When you have a surplus you can store some temporarily by lifting mature plants and hanging them by the stalk in a cool shed. Syringe these lifted plants with water occasionally to keep them fresh for the longest possible period. Cauliflower surplus can be frozen and retains its quality very well. 

The Complete Vegetable Gardener © 1976

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A miniature garden mimics itself with a display of even tinier trough gardens. Drought-resistant succulents are planned in the troughs, which dry out quickly. 

The Time-Life Encyclopedia of Gardening : Miniature and Bonsai © 1979