Growing Cauliflower

brassica oleracea var. botrytus botrytus : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S S                  
      T                
      P                

(Best months for growing Cauliflower in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 60 - 100 cm apart
  • Harvest in 15-22 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dwarf (bush) beans, beets, celery, cucumber, onions, marigold, nasturtium, rhubarb, aromatic herbs (sage, dill, chamomile)
  • Avoid growing close to: Climbing (pole) beans, tomato, peppers (chili, capsicum), eggplant (aubergine), strawberry, mustard

Your comments and tips

20 Mar 19, allan holmes (Australia - temperate climate)
how deep do you plant cauliflower seedlings
12 Feb 19, Linda (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi I was wondering when you say to plant cauliflower in seed trays undercover in February, do you mean in a glass house, or under shade cloth? I live in Taradale, Victoria, which is temperate, but we get little rain and have had some really hot sunny days lately that have fried some of my crops. However, we get frosts here that are not like the surrounding areas, and have had things die overnight from that well before and after winter. I also read that cauliflower doesn't take well to transplanting. So would sowing seed direct in February, under shade cloth be okay? Also, Thanks I love this site and all your information Linda
12 Feb 19, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
Read all the notes here about growing it. Doesn't like frosts - doesn't like hot days, doesn't like really rich soil. Caulies and cabbage take a lot of care to grow to the seedling stage.If growing seeds, need a good controlled environment - temperature and watering. Undercover means out of the sun and heat. You are starting them in hot/warm weather to transplant when the weather is a bit cooler and grow as the weather goes into winter. When you transplant it is best to have soil around the roots if possible, do it late in the afternoon and put some protection over them - shade for a week or so, water morning and night - only need a light watering. Little plants have small root system so need watering more often. Big plants - bigger watering less often. (Under cover also means protected from frosts- Liz)
23 Oct 18, Sue (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Please can you explain why my cauliflowers have small heads 10cm and open.some were planted April and August. The soil has a lot of compost in it.
24 Oct 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read your NZ guide for caulies - plant seed in Feb. You grow them into the winter. You would probably have them picked by July/Aug. Something I have never been able to grow in our sub tropical area.
04 Aug 18, Steve (Australia - temperate climate)
Being new to the veggie planting, and can I say I really do enjoy my little garden. My question is when is the right time to remove the cauliflower heads??
06 Aug 18, Mike L (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Caulies can look a couple of different ways. A good caulie will have a nice tight head. A No 1 caulie will be open looking. Check what a good caulie looks like in a supermarket. Probably not long after they reach full size - not growing bigger any more.
25 May 18, Chris (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Gidday. Can someine tell me if St Lawrence Qld which lies smack bang between Rocky to the South and Mackay to the North is Tropical or Sub-tropical? No-one seems to actually know.
30 May 18, Mike L (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
More so Sub-Tropical as it is only just north of Rocky. The notes here say from Rocky south.
19 Apr 18, Leanne Webb (Australia - temperate climate)
You forgot bakeing cauliflower and it is fantastic better than all other types of cooking. Just a bit of olive oil and season to taste
Showing 31 - 40 of 204 comments

I am trying to grow cauliflowers successfully. The outer leaves which are long are going quite curly and look as if something is wrong. The head of the cauliflower is still very small and they have been in the ground for at least two months. Any ideas?

- rhonda khoury

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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