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 50°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 24 - 39 inches 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
27 Jun 14, Imelda (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Cauliflower has been growing for about 60 days, lots of large leaves and getting tall. Will the heads form on a plant that is 10cm tall from base and has leaves branching out from the top of that 10cm point to make it around 25-30cm tall? Thanks in advance for any advice.
Reply or Post a new comment
18 Sep 14, (Australia - arid climate)
Cut some of the leaves off the stem , leave 4-6 leaves for cover
Reply or Post a new comment
16 Aug 14, Doris (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Don't despair. Our plants looked like that for ages. We were about to give up when we noticed fruit forming. Now we have about nine fruit, each up to ten cm in size. It may have been the dose of fertiliser about four weeks ago that did it.
Reply or Post a new comment
19 Jun 14, Peter M ( a keen retiree gardener) (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My climate I can only grow cauliflower in the cooler months so my question is Do I have to blanch them before freezing them to enable me to have cauliflower all year round. thank you in advance for your reply.
Reply or Post a new comment
05 May 14, Lindi (Australia - temperate climate)
im growing cauliflower its been cranking but now ive noticed theres been something eatting the leaves and was tiny lil whits spots on back of them what could it be and how could i treat it?
Reply or Post a new comment
20 May 14, Allison (Australia - temperate climate)
Try spraying top and bottom of leaves with Eco Oil (organic pest control). Not dangerous, can spray and consume same day. Anything with parafin or other chemicals is BAD. I also planted Nasturtions and Marigold in same garden and the bugs go for them instead. Hope this helps.
Reply or Post a new comment
28 Mar 14, Cynthia (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
What a lovely website you have here. It was the first time I saw it and what a pleasure to go through it! Thank you so much we have found some valuable information.
Reply or Post a new comment
21 Dec 13, Andrew (Australia - temperate climate)
Cant profess to be the best grower of cauliflower - I find them very fussy. The ones I have managed to grow to a full undiseased and uncracked head (sigh), have not sprouted either another head or laterals. Unless you get advised otherwise - pull it.
Reply or Post a new comment
19 Dec 13, Michelle (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Once I have picked the cauliflower, do I need to remove the plant or will another cauli grow? Thanks.
Reply or Post a new comment
20 Dec 13, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Thank you for the replies, I don't think I explained myself very well. I grew beautiful big cauliflowers, I've picked them and the question is, now what do I do with the plant left behind - will another cauliflower grow from the stalk or do I pull the whole plant out? Thanks
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 101 - 110 of 204 comments
See comments for all plants

G'day Mark, you could try a two metre fence, horses love green veg. For "Caterpillars", use Yates Nature's Way. It is organic and it stops the larvae eating. It takes longer to work but you will find almost instant results. Being organic there is no harm in using it almost up to harvest.

- Des

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.