"Rod" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 29 Mar 2005 17:04:52 +0000 (UTC), Glenda
wrote:

I've planted some mini-cauliflowers in a trough and they've now
started sprouting. I intend to thin them out and move some of the
seedlings into the vegetable patch in the garden and leave some in the
trough. As this is the first time I've ever grown cauliflowers, is
there any advice anyone would like to give? In particular, the best
way to keep pests off them when in the soil?

High fertility is the key, and don't ever let them take a check in
growth through delayed planting, getting to dry or short of nutrients.
The most important pests will be caterpillars; and in a wet season
slugs. Caterpillars are best dealt with by hand picking - learn to
recognise the early signs and catch 'em young, with the large white
they will all be together at that point within a day or so of hatching
so you can get the lot under your thumb all at once.

Hand picking relies on eternal vigilance though: what about fleece tunnels?

Andy.