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

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28 Apr 11, arthur (Australia - temperate climate)
my caulliflowers have large full leaf bodies but no showing of the flowers yet.This morning I gently fork around them to see if that woud help.Is there any other sugestions?
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26 Apr 11, arthur. (Australia - temperate climate)
I have the same problem Juian 10 June. Ive now cover my caul.well above the plants wih shade cloth have I done the right thing?.
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14 May 11, arthur (Australia - temperate climate)
Juian its been just over a week ago since I remove the cover from my caul.. .and they just flowering. Dont forget to fold the outer leaves in when the start to keep them white.arthur
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09 Nov 10, Nat (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Same. I thought that I just did not enough nutrients in the soil.
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09 Nov 10, (Australia - temperate climate)
What have we done wrong? Our cauliflowers look more like broccolini - slightly green, with no tight heads, but loose long florets similar to broccolini. We live 50km south of Perth on the coastal dunes, with alkaline soil. We enriched the soil with compost and cow manure and have fed them with blood and bone, and pelletised chicken manure. Broccoli and broccolini planted with them have tended to bolt.
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11 Nov 10, Sri (Australia - temperate climate)
Sounds like your soil is fine broccoli and cauliflower love there nitrogen for me personally its far too late in the year to be trying to grow these in the Perth area they are more a winter,autumn vegetables try again in March next year
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16 Sep 10, Jack (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I too are having trouble getting my cauliflowers to head. They were planted in May. What should I be feeding them with?
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21 Jul 10, stell (Australia - temperate climate)
can te leaves of the plant used (cooked) any way as i have a good foliage of healthy leaves or i hav to put the wole lot in the compost:(
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20 Feb 11, Alexis (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes - you can eat the leaves. They're good in stir-fries, or curries, or fried to a crisp with sesame seed oil and lemon juice. Lots of folate!
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21 Jul 10, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
You can use the leaves but they might be a bit tough.
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Showing 151 - 160 of 204 comments
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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

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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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