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 T T          

(Best months for growing Cauliflower in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • 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 (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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
23 Nov 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Squash the eggs with your fingers.
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Jan 21, gary (Australia - temperate climate)
thanks brainwave
Reply or Post a new comment
10 Sep 20, Elizabeth (Australia - tropical climate)
I live in Nigeria. I love cauliflower so much and I am very interested in growing it in my house garden, is there any advice I can get to grow it?
Reply or Post a new comment
14 Sep 20, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It is probably too hot in Nigeria, needs cool climate in winter.
Reply or Post a new comment
20 Aug 20, dennis (Australia - temperate climate)
how can i get bigger caulie heads , what do the commercial growers fertilize them with ?
Reply or Post a new comment
21 Aug 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A lot of commercial vegies around here are fertilised with Nitrophoska with the trace elements in it $36 a 25kg bag.
Reply or Post a new comment
21 Aug 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I'm sub tropical and I don't even try to grow caulies. They need a cool cold climate. An agronomist told me the other week cauli, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce need it to be cool/cold to form a head. I have tried growing them but end up with huge leafy plants and no or little head, reason, over fertile soil. To really be on the ball on growing them you would have to have a soil test done, then a specific fertiliser would have to be applied. You may only have a small time window to plant them, say April to mid May. Talk to an agronomist in your area if you can.
Reply or Post a new comment
28 Aug 20, T.Bah (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
There are cauliflower varieties adapted to hot climate. Even cabbage, broccoli etc. Check SAKATA seeds or Global seed company.
Reply or Post a new comment
25 Mar 20, Graham (Australia - temperate climate)
From Melbourne is it to late to grow Cauliflowers from seed if planted today.
Reply or Post a new comment
26 Mar 20, Anon (Australia - temperate climate)
The info here is a guide, you have to look at your local conditions. If you plant now the crop will depend on whether you have a warmish or a cold winter. Approx 18-20+ weeks to grow, so won't be ready until near end of August. If the crop doesn't grow very good this year then you will know to plant earlier next year. OR just go and buy some seedlings then you have a better chance. Raising seedlings is a bit of an art especially the cabbage lettuce broccoli caulies etc.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 11 - 20 of 162 comments
See comments for all plants

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Cauliflower

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.