The Complete Guide to Growing Cauliflower

Learn to grow cauliflower with the complete guide to growing cauliflower at home!

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Cauliflower are typically started indoors from seed, about 4- 6 weeks before your desired transplant date. This can be as early as 2-6 weeks before your last spring frost date or 6-8 weeks before your first fall frost date. Cauliflower grows best with consistently cool temperatures of the spring & fall in most growing regions. Optimal growing temperatures are in the 60s, no higher than 75F. Temperatures which are too hot or too cold may cause bolting or premature heading. Cauliflower is the most easily stressed member of the brassica family- drastic changes in temperature, moisture and nutrients can cause plants to develop premature heads or bolt. Cauliflower is also easily stressed by insect pressure. If growing in areas where temperature frequently and drastically fluctuates, protect plants with frost cloth or cloches. Extreme cold can halt growth or kill plants.
To start cauliflower indoors, sow seeds ¼” deep in seed-starting media, moisten media and keep evenly moist as seedlings are growing. Seeds should germinate in 5-7 days at temps of around 70-75F.
Begin fertilizing seedlings once they have their second set of true leaves. Seedlings can be transplanted after they are about 4-6” tall with 2-4 sets of leaves.
Harden off your seedlings before transplanting- hardening off is a process of slowly acclimating tender seedlings to outdoor conditions. Bring seedling flats outdoors and place in a protected spot, gradually increasing the time seedlings spend outdoors over the course of several days to a week.
When transplanting seedlings, space them 18-24” and space rows 30” apart
Cauliflower grows best in full sun and in fertile, well-drained soil. Cauliflower is a heavy feeder-- for best results, work compost or aged manure into the soil before planting. Feed with a balanced, slow release fertilizer when transplanting and then again when small heads begin to form.
Once planted, give your seedlings a generous drink of water and provide with consistent, plentiful moisture as they grow- 2” of water per week is ideal.
Some varieties of cauliflower will require blanching to maintain head quality and color. Blanching is tying the outer leaves together with a rubber band or twine to keep the heads protected from sunlight. You can also choose self-blanching types which have leaves that curl up around the heads naturally.
Cauliflower is ready to harvest 50-100 days after transplanting, depending on the variety you are growing. Harvest when heads are compact and firm before curds start to open up. Heads will typically be 6-8” in diameter. Cut heads from the base of the plant with a sharp knife and enjoy!

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[timlist]

First year trying to grow califlower. Thank you for your tips.

[lynnlovessoil]

I grew cauliflower for the first time this year. I grow lots of other brassicas but this has to be the prettiest vegetable. I thought it would bolt before harvest but my last one I will harvest today. We have been getting high's in the mid 80's the last couple days.

[Trist]

That "I'm a bit of a diva" meme with the cauliflower was hilarious 😂

[breehenson]

I've never grown cauliflower but am hoping to add it to the garden next year. Thanks for this.

[ErnieHatmaker]

When we lived in Georgia, we had zero luck with cauliflower. You make me wanna try it again.

[gailthornbury]

This is the first year I’ve successfully grown cauliflowers - not huge like yours but I don’t mind. I’m not sure what I did right this time- definitely will be growing these every year.

[dariantaylor]

This helped so much more than I originally expected!

[CBsGreenhouseandGarden]

Awesome information as always Mrs. Jenna. Congrats on the 1K mark. Stay safe my friend and have a wonderful weekend!

[Lochness]

The cauliflower I planted in May is finally starting to grow a head. It was in part shade (5 hours or so), so maybe that helped prevent bolting (although here in suburban Toronto it's also not super hot in summer). The head is about 2 inches across now, although the plant itself is not very big so I'm not sure how big the plant will get - it's Early Snowball cauliflower. Looks like just one more heat wave in a few days to get through and then temperatures should be in the preferred range. The much larger romanesco plant (also transplanted in May) has no visible head yet.

[BCl-dngn]

, the leaves on my caulies are huge but 3 months later no head is forming, do i pull them out and start again😢

[JulesGardening]

Excellent information and presentation Jenna! 👍

[radha]

Thank you for sharing this info.it’s really cool

[krismorrin]

I’ve struggled a few times growing cauliflower... I’m confident this year though 😁

[pipachan]

Hi Jenna, thanks so much for this video. Do you know if the leaves of the plant are edible too?

[karenkirschpage]

Hi Jenna - thanks for the helpful video. I've not had success yet with cauliflower on my terrace garden in NYC where I grow many other vegetables. Hoping this year is the charm. What fertilizer did you use in the video, or do you recommend when planting seedlings about the age of yours?

[sophiesoulsister]

Dang! The cauliflower heads I have are about 4" is it to late to cover/blanch?

[natashafarquharson]

Will it grow again from the same plant once you cut the head?

[jeanettavaughan]

What could be the cause after 4 months with nice leafy growth there is no bearing ? I would be happy for an answer.

[valerietromble]

My broccoli made heads, but my cauliflower didn’t any ideas

[mikyahl]

And the leaves are edible and have twice s much as vitamin A than the head.