PlantSowGrow
How to grow Cauliflower (All Year Round)
Brassica oleracea Botrytis Group
A reliable, versatile cauliflower with firm white curds. Needs rich soil and steady watering.
At a glance: Sow mid February to mid April, harvest from late July.
When to sow, plant and harvest
Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.
Growing Cauliflower (All Year Round): what it needs
- Light
- Full sun · 6+ hours a day
- Watering
- Never let it dry out — stress makes small, early curds
- Soil
- Fertile, well-drained soil
- Spacing
- 60 cm
- In pots
- Best in the ground
- Feeding
- A general feed before sowing or planting
- Harvest
- About 140 days from sowing
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 3–9
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
Step by step
- Mid February – mid April · 8 weeks before the last spring frost
Sow Seeds Indoors
Sow in modules or small pots of seed compost under cover.
- 7–14 days after “Sow Seeds Indoors” · Late February – early March
Check Germination
Seedlings should appear in 7–14 days. If sown outdoors, thin to 60 cm apart when big enough to handle.
- 14–21 days after “Check Germination” · Mid March
Pot On Seedlings
Move seedlings into 9 cm pots (or keep in modules) when they have their first true leaves.
- Mid April · 4 days after the last spring frost
Harden Off
Stand plants outside by day for 7–10 days before planting out.
- Late April – late May · 2 weeks after the last spring frost
Plant Out
Plant out 60 cm apart and water in well.
- 0–3 days after “Plant Out” · Late April – early May
Net Against Pests
Cover with fine insect mesh or netting straight after planting to keep off pigeons, cabbage white caterpillars and flea beetles.
- 60–75 days after “Net Against Pests” · Late June – mid July
Protect the Curd
When curds form, snap a few outer leaves over them to keep them white.
- 90–111 days after “Plant Out” · Late July – mid August
Start Harvesting
Cut while the curd is firm and tight.
- 30–60 days after “Start Harvesting” · Late August – late September
Finish and Clear
Clear the remains to the compost heap once cropping ends.
