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
09 Mar 21, Darren (Australia - temperate climate)
Neem oil will get rid of the caterpillars, if you don't feel confident to pick them all off. Follow instructions on bottle.
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08 Mar 21, Anonymous (Australia - arid climate)
Look up on the internet organic sprays for cabbage/caulies.
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22 Nov 20, (Australia - temperate climate)
I have applied cabbage moth dust to my cauliflowers and there is some eggs on some leaves , is there anything else i can do or will the dust kill there development, thank you
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23 Nov 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Squash the eggs with your fingers.
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09 Jan 21, gary (Australia - temperate climate)
thanks brainwave
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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?
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14 Sep 20, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
It is probably too hot in Nigeria, needs cool climate in winter.
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20 Aug 20, dennis (Australia - temperate climate)
how can i get bigger caulie heads , what do the commercial growers fertilize them with ?
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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.
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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.
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Showing 11 - 20 of 204 comments
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The most effective organic solution to your problem is B.t. (B. thuringiensis). It's a naturally occurring bacteria that only targets the caterpillars but is harmless to everything else. Soapy water can be useful for aphids but probably won't do much to the cabbage loopers unless you use so much soap that you risk harming your plants.

- colleen

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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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