Cauliflower Picking / Packing
Cauliflower – often outshined by its cousin Broccoli – is usually included to ones dietary meal as it contains striking number of nutrients such vitamins and minerals. Cauliflower, along with kale, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Broccoli, and Collard Green, is a Brassica Oleracea specie in the family of a medium sized flowering plant called Brassicaceae, or casually known as the Cabbage Family.
Cauliflower, which all people normally eats its head or its white curd, is being reproduced through seeds. Just like any other vegetable, Cauliflowers hold a long history and the oldest record of it was written in the 6th Century B.C. It has quite an unusual resemblance in appearance with Broccoli, which is usually green in color that has a larger flower head.
Australia has a number of Cauliflower varieties that are being grown widely in some regions, which has either white or very white curd. Cauliflowers are best grown in full sun with partial shade to reduce the size of its head; however, one should be guided that these type of vegetables are very susceptible to weather conditions as too much heat can rot its stem or turn its curds into brown color. Cauliflowers are in need of well-drained calcium-rich soil that has steady water moisture. In planting Cauliflower, it is a must to set a space in between them of about 45 to 60cm or 18 to 24 inches with .61 to 1m or 2-3 feet between rows.
Here are some of Cauliflower cultivars that are being grown in Australia:
Charlotte – this cauliflower variety takes at least 10-11 weeks to mature and best grown in warm areas. This type of Cauliflower produces heavy white medium-sized yet firm curds.
Fremont – this variety matures early at an estimated timeframe of 10-11 weeks from transplant. It is normally grown in warm areas and produces nice quality with good weight of cauliflower.
Agenda – this type of Cauliflower takes 13-14 weeks to mature and produces very white heavy curds. This is just one of the transitional cultivars which can be grown in either warm or cold regions.
Donner – usually takes 13-14 weeks to mature and has a tall frame that provides a good cover that the vegetable needed. It produces medium-sized white curd and can be grown in either warm or cold areas.
Discovery – it takes 11-12 weeks for it to mature and best harvested during summer and autumn in cool areas and/or late autumn or winter in warmer regions. This cultivar produces smooth and large curds, which has a tall and erected frame that gives good cover to the plant.
Sirente – takes 13-14 weeks to mature and produces very white, deep and well covered curds.
Appia – it has a large frame size that takes 16 weeks to mature. It is best grown in cool areas and produces very white and heavy curds.
If you’re a backpacker and wish to work in the fruit/vegetable picking industry to sustain your finances while staying in Australia, Cauliflower picker is definitely a worth-to-try picking job though pay rate depends on whether you have chosen by the bin or by the hour pay option. In by the hour job, which normally takes up to 12 hours a day, you are entitled to get paid between AUD$15-20 per hour; however, you have to continuously work for long hours in a stooping position. In this not-so-easy job, you always need to bring with you some protection such sunblock cream, hat, long sleeved clothes and water for hydration.
