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
  • A variety of purple cauliflower
  • Mature cauliflower

Large leafed cabbage-like with a white 'curd' or flower forming in the centre. It can be hard to grow successfully. More frost sensitive than most brassicas, it's also not particularly heat tolerant. They tend to fail if stressed when transplanting.

Watch for cabbage white butterfly. Grow better in cooler temperatures. Not suitable for warm areas. Break a leaf over the head to prevent the curd becoming discoloured.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Cauliflower

Cauliflower can be eaten raw, steamed, stirfried, grilled, or roasted. Popular grated and steamed/stirfried as a low-carb rice substitute.
Cook briefly and add to curry mix.
Traditionally served with cheese sauce. Add tomato slices for colour.
Toss with oil and spices and roast/grill until browned and delicious!

Your comments and tips

22 Jan 08, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
You can crack the leaf stems and fold the leaves over the curd to reduce discolouring.
30 Jun 08, K Harrison (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi I have successfully grown a few Cauliflowers but have noticed that all the separate plants are growing all to a different length and I have also tried breaking off the leaves and draping them across the cores but they have all started going from brown to dark green and are not looking real good despite a great organic cow fertilizer soup, I would have thought that they would all grow to one big core, has anyone got any great idea's
06 Jul 08, rhonda khoury (Australia - temperate climate)
I am trying to grow cauliflowers successfully. The outer leaves which are long are going quite curly and look as if something is wrong. The head of the cauliflower is still very small and they have been in the ground for at least two months. Any ideas?
09 Jul 08, michael (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi again Liz I live in Perth (WA) and we are at our coldest and possibly wettest time now!! I have about 15 plants and want to reduce it to however will grow in the tubs I described. Do you think 6 would still be overcrowded?
15 Jul 08, Ros (Australia - temperate climate)
I had 8 cauliflowers growing beautifully, each had a small curd; but as the curds started to grow a bit bigger, they separated into lots of stems. Why did this happen, please?
31 Jul 08, teash (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Ros, I had the same issue with my cauli, they told me that it was a different type of cauliflower, it almost looks like a broccoli? I prefer this type actually, easier to cut when you need it.
21 Sep 08, Simon (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi, My cauliflowers have gone to seed does anyone know why
07 Oct 08, coral (Australia - temperate climate)
My last batch of cauliflowers have produced amazing foliage but no curds. We normally get great curds. What has gone wrong this time?
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
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?
Showing 1 - 10 of 162 comments

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