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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15 Jul 13, Gymgirl (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Cauliflowers like cool/cold weather. If your average daytime temps aren't hovering between 60-45°, you may not get any heads. Same for the broccoli.
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16 Jun 13, Heather (Australia - temperate climate)
Are you able to offer any advice about my cauliflower plants please - I have lots of huge leaves but no cauliflowers forming. I'm wondering if I did anything wrong many thanks
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11 Jul 13, Brian (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Sounds like an excess of Nitrogen. They should still form eventually
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27 Jun 13, Charlie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have the same problem can you advice me.
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10 Feb 13, bryan (Australia - temperate climate)
i seem to grow plants with very small heads
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06 Nov 12, Ben Sinclair (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
As cauliflower grows a head, does the head start off white and continues to grow bigger as the plant grows ? Thanks. Ben
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25 Oct 12, Angela (Australia - temperate climate)
I have Leaves but no head
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15 Oct 12, Denise (Australia - temperate climate)
once a cauliflower is picked will it grow again or are they finished?
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17 Oct 12, Nat (Australia - arid climate)
You can't repeat harvest cauliflower, unfortunately!
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16 Sep 12, glen (Australia - temperate climate)
Ive only got lots of leaves no head!
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Showing 121 - 130 of 204 comments
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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)

- Mike

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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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