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Easy to grow. Bring on in seed trays, then plant out seedlings. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed.
Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 30°C.

Watch for cabbage white butterfly. Better grown in cooler temperatures. Break a leaf over the head to prevent the curd becoming discoloured

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Culinary hints - cooking and eating Cauliflower

Cauliflower can be steamed.
Young ones can be broken into small pieces and added raw to salad.
Cook briefly and add to curry mix.
Traditionally served with cheese sauce.
Add tomato slices for colour.

Your comments and tips

19 Oct 07 Pat Milliken (Unknown climate)

Is the curd still edible once it has become discoloured?

12 Jan 08 Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)

The cauliflower curd is edible if it is slightly yellowed. It will have a stronger flavour, not always acceptable. Sunlight causes discolouration and this is worse in warmer climates.

22 Jan 08 Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

You can crack the leaf stems and fold the leaves over the curd to reduce discolouring.

22 Jan 08 graeme (Unknown climate)

yes you can put a leaf over to stop discolouring

04 Mar 08 caTh-eeee-riNe (Unknown climate)

how does a cauliflower grow?

24 May 08 annie (Unknown climate)

Once the curd has started how long do you wait until it is ready to pick?

01 Jun 08 Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Annie, the curd keeps growing for quite a while but it is best picked while still white and firm. Each plant will grow at a different rate so they won't all be ready together.

01 Jun 08 michael (Unknown climate)

Liz, can I still plant now? Also how much room does a single plant need? I want to grow cauli in large tubs if possible. They are about 2 by 5 feet in size and about 2 deep.

19 Jun 08 Louisa (Unknown climate)

how much sun do they need?

21 Jun 08 Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Michael, I don't know which climate area you are in, but you can still plant out cauliflower seedlings during colder weather. In tubs, protected from frost they should grow well. They will spread their leaves to about 1 1/2 x 2 feet (40x60cm),bigger leaves mean better sized curds.

30 Jun 08 K Harrison (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Hi I have successfully grown a few Cauliflowers but have noticed that all the separate plants are growing all to a different length and I have also tried breaking off the leaves and draping them across the cores but they have all started going from brown to dark green and are not looking real good despite a great organic cow fertilizer soup, I would have thought that they would all grow to one big core, has anyone got any great idea's

06 Jul 08 rhonda khoury (Australia - temperate climate)

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?

07 Jul 08 Beth (United Kingdom - temperate/cool climate)

I have Cauliflowers that have formed small heads which are visible. I suspect there is a problem as it is too soon for them to be mature. My query is- Will the head keep growing or should I harvest them now. I have covered the heads with outside cauli leaves to stop the sunlight yellowing them.

09 Jul 08 michael (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi again Liz I live in Perth (WA) and we are at our coldest and possibly wettest time now!! I have about 15 plants and want to reduce it to however will grow in the tubs I described. Do you think 6 would still be overcrowded?

11 Jul 08 Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Michael, to get a good size curd from each plant, you will probably only fit three plants at the most in each tub. Cauliflower like plenty of organic matter and some lime to reduce soil acidity. They are fairly slow growing and do not like hot weather. Make sure the tubs do not dry out.

11 Jul 08 Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Hi K Harrison, It is difficult to say what is wrong without seeing your plants. One possibility is frost damage. Can you take a piece of a damaged plant into your local nursery? They may be able to look up in some reference books for you.

15 Jul 08 Ros (Australia - temperate climate)

I had 8 cauliflowers growing beautifully, each had a small curd; but as the curds started to grow a bit bigger, they separated into lots of stems. Why did this happen, please?