OF ALL the standard allotment vegetables, cauliflowers are almost universally considered the hardest to grow.

When I’ve had success with them it’s usually been from an autumn sowing, possibly because they then spend their formative months at a time of year when there are fewer animals and diseases around to stymie them, as well as their being at less risk from hot weather.

Only a few cauli cultivars can be sown at this time. The best-known, and most widely available, is All The Year Round, which, despite the name, can’t actually be sown all the year round, but is perfect for starting off in September or October.

You’ll need to give the plants some basic protection over winter – an unheated greenhouse, a cloche or a cold frame. I’ve used an old window propped up on bricks before, but admittedly that was during a very mild winter.

Although you could try sowing the seeds directly into the soil and then covering the row with cloches, you’ll increase your chances of success if you can start the seeds in trays.