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

29 Nov 11, Sam (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks - I finally got a couple to grow and I harvested the first one this morning because the curds were starting to separate. It is very small (I don't expect them to be as big as a store bought one) but kind of greenish and discoloured. Is it safe to eat do you think?
13 Oct 11, Sam (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted cauliflower some months ago and the plants are going nuts. They look really healthy and are getting quite big but there is no sign of a head yet. Will it come or is it too late. Why wouldn't the heads be forming?
28 Oct 11, Bruce (Australia - temperate climate)
Be patient, they grow huge and quite slowly.
17 Nov 11, dave (Australia - temperate climate)
cauli sould be grown in cool temps it dose not like summer
31 Jul 11, Ben Fergusson (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Karen had the same problem till told by a commercial grower to tie all the leaves together over the head and water well each day walla it worked
30 Jul 11, Karen (Australia - temperate climate)
My cauliflower plant looks good but the head or curds are not close together but spread and look as if it has gone to seed. what have i done wrong?
15 Jul 11, (Australia - temperate climate)
Thanks Bruce. I have no idea what is eating them. One night they are there and in the morning completely eaten. Will try dipel. Cheers keith
13 Jul 11, Bruce (Australia - temperate climate)
You don't say what is eating your plants such as snails or small grey match head size bugs. Di-pel is available at local garden shops for cabbage moth(grey bugs). It is not a chemical and acceptable for use by organic gardeners. You need to read the label to understand how it works. Bruce
10 Jul 11, (Australia - temperate climate)
How do I stop my cauliflower heads from being eaten. I have put down pea straw. I do not want to use chemical sprays.
01 Jun 11, geoffrey (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
this year we are using large pots for cauliflower more control of them and growing well has anyone else done this gayndah-qld
Showing 141 - 150 of 204 comments

Can I grow brocoli/cauliflower/rhubarb in Townsville and if so what time of year is best. Do they go into direct sunlight or shady area. Just moved to here and I want to establish my own garden for my needs.

- robert

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.