PlantSowGrowHow to grow Cauliflower (Walcheren Winter)
Brassica oleracea Botrytis Group
A very hardy winter cauliflower: sown in spring, it stands through winter and gives white curds from March to May.
At a glance: Sow mid April to mid May, harvest from late February.
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 (Walcheren Winter): what it needs
- Light
- Full sun · 6+ hours a day
- Watering
- Water regularly in dry weather
- Soil
- Fertile, well-drained soil
- Spacing
- 60 cm
- In pots
- Best in the ground
- Feeding
- A general feed before sowing or planting
- Harvest
- About 320 days from sowing
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 5–8
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
Step by step
- Mid April – mid May · around the last spring frost
Sow Seeds Indoors
Sow in modules or small pots of seed compost under cover.
- 5–10 days after “Sow Seeds Indoors” · Mid April – late April
Check Germination
Seedlings should appear in 5–10 days. If sown outdoors, thin to 60 cm apart when big enough to handle.
- 14–21 days after “Check Germination” · Early May – mid May
Pot On Seedlings
Move seedlings into 9 cm pots (or keep in modules) when they have their first true leaves.
- Early June · 7 weeks after the last spring frost
Harden Off
Stand plants outside by day for 7–10 days before planting out.
- Mid June – mid July · 9 weeks after the last spring frost
Plant Out
Plant out 60 cm apart and water in well.
- 0–3 days after “Plant Out” · Mid June
Net Against Pests
Cover with fine insect mesh or netting straight after planting to keep off pigeons, cabbage white caterpillars and flea beetles.
- 150–200 days after “Net Against Pests” · Mid November – late December
Protect the Curd
In winter, bend a few leaves over the forming curds to shield them from frost.
- 310–331 days after “Check Germination” · Late February – mid March
Start Harvesting
Cut while the curd is firm and tight.
- 45–75 days after “Start Harvesting” · Early April – early May
Finish and Clear
Clear the remains to the compost heap once cropping ends.
