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                    
      T T              

(Best months for growing Cauliflower in New Zealand - cool/mountain 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 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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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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16 Jun 13, Heather (Australia - temperate climate)
Are you able to offer any advice about my cauliflower plants please - I have lots of huge leaves but no cauliflowers forming. I'm wondering if I did anything wrong many thanks
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11 Jul 13, Brian (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Sounds like an excess of Nitrogen. They should still form eventually
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27 Jun 13, Charlie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have the same problem can you advice me.
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10 Feb 13, bryan (Australia - temperate climate)
i seem to grow plants with very small heads
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06 Nov 12, Ben Sinclair (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
As cauliflower grows a head, does the head start off white and continues to grow bigger as the plant grows ? Thanks. Ben
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25 Oct 12, Angela (Australia - temperate climate)
I have Leaves but no head
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15 Oct 12, Denise (Australia - temperate climate)
once a cauliflower is picked will it grow again or are they finished?
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17 Oct 12, Nat (Australia - arid climate)
You can't repeat harvest cauliflower, unfortunately!
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16 Sep 12, glen (Australia - temperate climate)
Ive only got lots of leaves no head!
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