Select your climate zone What is my climate zone?

Growing Cauliflower

(brassica oleracea var. botrytus botrytus)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  S S P         P      

(Best months for planting Cauliflower in USA - Zone 5a regions)

S = Plant undercover in seed trays. P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.


  • 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 10°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 60 - 100 cm apart
  • Harvest in 15-22 weeks.
  • Compatible with: Dwarf (bush) beans, beets, celery, cucumber, onions, marigold, nasturtium, rhubarb, aromatic herbs (sage, dill, chamomile)
  • Avoid growing with: Climbing (pole) beans, tomato, peppers (chili, capsicum), eggplant (aubergine), strawberry, mustard
  • Mature cauliflower

Your comments and tips

Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
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
Reply or Post a new comment
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?
Reply or Post a new comment
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
Reply or Post a new comment
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
Reply or Post a new comment
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.
Reply or Post a new comment
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
Reply or Post a new comment
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?
Reply or Post a new comment
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?.
Reply or Post a new comment
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
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Nov 10, Nat (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Same. I thought that I just did not enough nutrients in the soil.
Reply or Post a new comment
First page < Previous page 21 - 30 of 80 comments Next page >

See comments for all plants

Post a question, comment or tip about Cauliflower

Cauliflower florets will be green if exposed to sunlight. You need to rip of a leaf or such, or grow a curling leaf vaiety, to cover the florets from sunlight, so they stay white. Sounds like you grew a good head of cauliflower, but its green now instead

- Steven


Where are you?



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

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

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.

Site design and development by Hutchinson Software