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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12 Oct 08, Kathryn (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I didn't pick my cauliflower soon enough and the head has a pinky/purple colour on it. Is this discolouration or could it be a fungus? Not sure if I can eat them. Thanks
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16 Nov 08, Rob (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I have had a similar effect happen to my cauliflower as question #15 as mine were also growing very well and had small curds that separated into lots of stems when they grew a bit larger.Can you tell me what has caused this to happen?
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20 Nov 08, graham (Australia - temperate climate)
I may be interpreting the info from this site incorrectly, most of the comments reinforce what i thought, that cauliflower is grown in cooler months and yet this site shows planting times of mid summer with harvest at the end of summer. Can some one please explain thanks
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23 Nov 08, Kenneth banks (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
my caulieflowers have a yellowish tinge to them when havested.Are they alright to eat. Thanks
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01 Feb 09, Marty (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I had a great crop of large caulis in November. Trouble was they were completely full of slugs - they seemed to be breeding in amongst the florets and were hard to remove. How do i prevent this next time?
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04 May 09, Dawn (Australia - temperate climate)
Marty : The slugs (if green) are from the white Cabbage moth laying eggs that hatch into catapillars. Place large pieces of egg shell around the base and on the leaves and the moth will think it's another moth already laying eggs.
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12 Jul 09, David Smith (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
My cauliflowers have grown well but the heads hve turned from white to yellow how does one keep them white or ie it the varity, i have put a leaf over each plant but they still go yellow have you got any ideas is it a soil deficiency the soil i well manured.
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14 Jul 09, Kathryn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Same as 12 - my cauliflower has a pinky/purple colour - can I eat this?
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02 Oct 09, John Barry (Australia - temperate climate)
Cauliflowers are NOT easy to grow, repeat NOT easy. Farmer John
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06 Oct 09, Blinky and Tina (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
We are growing Cauliflower and it has really good leaves on it. We planted about june this year. it's now october and we still dont have any heads forming? Can anyone explaine why? Also when shuld the heads start to appear? According to our seed packet we planted at the right time.
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Showing 21 - 30 of 204 comments
See comments for all plants

Cauli is a winter crop - try planting now, March. I don't plant anything from August to Feb over summer - too hot (lots of watering and chance of lots of rain and wind). My soil is generally too rich and I just grow a big plant with no cauli head developing. I gave up trying to grow caulies 20 yrs ago. I fallow my ground during summer adding plant residue and grass clippings and turning it over a few times. Have pretty good soil when I plant in Feb/March. Plants just boom. Last year I had Savoy cabbage with leaves the size of a tennis racket in July/August - no head developed - other cabbage did head up though.

- 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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