Cauliflower
Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
The most demanding of the brassica family, cauliflowers reward careful preparation and attention with their magnificent curds. Grow them and you will understand why they once commanded a premium at market. They come in summer, autumn, and winter varieties to extend the season across the year.
SowingStart indoors
Sunlight☀️ Full sun
Water💧💧💧 High
Days to harvest80–120
Soil pH6.8–7.5
Spacing60cm × 60cm
Planting Calendar
🌏 Adjusted for southern hemisphere seasons.
Sow indoorsSow outdoorsTransplantHarvest
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Varieties
Sow summer and autumn cauliflowers from March to May; winter varieties in May and June. Choosing the right variety for the intended harvest season is essential.Soil Preparation
Cauliflowers are hungry plants — prepare the bed the previous autumn with generous amounts of well-rotted manure or compost. The soil must be firm, not loose.Transplanting
Plant out at 60cm spacing in a grid. Water in well and firm with your heel. Covering the roots with fine mesh at transplanting is advisable to exclude cabbage white butterflies from the outset.Protecting the Curd
Once the white curd begins to form, fold inner leaves over it to protect from frost and sunlight. This prevents discolouration and keeps the curd tight and white.Soil: Firm, deeply-dug, fertile loam. Cauliflowers need the most fertile soil of any brassica.