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Vegetable
Cauliflower
Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
A cool-season brassica for autumn planting in Adelaide, maturing in winter and early spring. It's fussier than broccoli: it needs rich soil and no check to growth, or it forms tiny early heads. Fold leaves over the curd as it forms to keep it white.
- SunFull sun
- Spacing60 cm apart
- First pick13–19 weeks
- FrostFrost hardy
- HeatStruggles in heat
- Sow depth10 mm
When to plant where you live
Checking your area…
Add cauliflower to my gardenVarieties (4)
- Mini (e.g. Mini Cauli mix)Small heads close-planted; quick and suits small beds
- Phenomenal EarlyAustralian standard for autumn plantings; good-sized heads
- Purple or green types (e.g. Romanesco)Coloured curds that don't need blanching; Romanesco adds spiral heads
- SnowballMedium early type; reliable for home gardens
Neighbours
Grows well with
Keep away from
From seed to plate
Plant
60 cm apart, seed 10 mm deep. Full sun.
Water
Never let it dry out.
Feed
Rich compost.
Pick, from about 13 weeks
Cut while curds are tight.
Good to know
- Plant seedlings by early autumn so heads form before the coldest weeks
- Side-dress with compost or a nitrogen-rich fertiliser monthly
- Harvest while curds are tight and smooth
Common problems
- Small premature heads (buttoning)avoid transplant shock and dry soil; plant young seedlings and keep fed and watered
- Cabbage white caterpillars and aphidsinsect mesh from planting, hand pick; use a Bt-based registered product following label directions
- Yellowed or brown curdstie or fold leaves over heads to shade them
- Club rootrotate brassicas over at least 3 years; lime acidic soils
If you use a garden chemical, follow the label exactly. Try organic options first, and ask the community or Plant Doctor if you're unsure.
Guides
Where this information comes from
- Australian seed company regional sowing charts (temperate zone) (germination, low confidence)
- UC Master Gardener Program (UC ANR): soil temperature conditions for vegetable seed germination (germination, medium confidence, checked 27 Oct 2026)
- ABC Gardening Australia fact sheets (growing, low confidence)
- ABC Gardening Australia plant finder: Cauliflower (growing, medium confidence, checked 27 Oct 2026)
- SBS Food: How to grow brassicas (growing, medium confidence, checked 27 Oct 2026)
- Sustainable Gardening Australia: planting guides (sowing window, low confidence)
Reviewed by AI cross-check (Claude), not a horticulturist on 27 Oct 2026. Version 2.