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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28 Mar 14, Cynthia (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
What a lovely website you have here. It was the first time I saw it and what a pleasure to go through it! Thank you so much we have found some valuable information.
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11 Sep 13, Jo (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
My cauliflowers have big healthy leaves...but no heads are coming they are about half a metre tall...now i read that they don't like warm temperatures. I live on coast KZN and summer is coming. what should i do? take them out...
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04 Oct 13, elna geringer (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I would like to know the reply as well please Thanks
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14 Jul 13, Susan Hair (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
The cauliflower is growing very well with huge big leaves but is not making the flower. It is in well composted soil and gets regular water. The other problem is with the broc which is only making very small flowers. I would really appreciate your help with this problem. Thanks Susan
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15 Jul 13, Gymgirl (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Cauliflowers like cool/cold weather. If your average daytime temps aren't hovering between 60-45°, you may not get any heads. Same for the broccoli.
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06 Feb 12, "Kid"s rice (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
If you steam the cauliflower to slightly underdone (about 10-12min) Pulse shred it in a processor to a rice consistancy. Serve with a sauce... My kids did not even realize what they were eating...they hat veggies, love rice. It is also an excellent idea for dieters.
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Showing 11 - 16 of 16 comments
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Further to my comments above. The cheap Chinese netting was useless. The $25 (10m x 5m) netting not the best either. I have found this on the internet - 10m x 6.5m White Cross Weave Hail Net / Bird Netting $80. It is rows of knitted cotton with a V shape running between the rows. Expensive but it will keep just about everything out. Birds, moths and probably flies and bees. The framework for the netting above was a lot of work to move to do any work in the garden. I have constructed 2 frames with 20mm conduit pipe - 2m x 2m x1m high. Had to buy the 3 way elbows on the internet to join it all together. A place that sells hot house/shade house stuff. They are a little flimsy but with two people are very easy to move around. I intend to also put some 50% shade cloth over them early and late in the year to extend my growing seasons. Hope this helps other people considering this.

- 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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