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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
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
Reply or Post a new comment
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?
Reply or Post a new comment
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
Reply or Post a new comment
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
Reply or Post a new comment
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?
Reply or Post a new comment
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.
Reply or Post a new comment
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.
Reply or Post a new comment
14 Jul 09, Kathryn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Same as 12 - my cauliflower has a pinky/purple colour - can I eat this?
Reply or Post a new comment
02 Oct 09, John Barry (Australia - temperate climate)
Cauliflowers are NOT easy to grow, repeat NOT easy. Farmer John
Reply or Post a new comment
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.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 21 - 30 of 204 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.