How to grow Cauliflower in Australia

Cauliflower needs full sun, firm, rich, well-drained soil, and a steady, uninterrupted supply of water and food, as any check ruins the curd. Plant into cool conditions and feed with a nitrogen-rich fertiliser.

At a glance

Difficulty: Advanced
Sun: Full sun
Water: 6 litres a week, watered every 2 days
Spacing: 55 cm
Time to harvest: 100 days
Time to germinate: 8 days
Soil pH: 6.5 to 7.5
Frost tolerance: Half hardy

When to sow by region

Region	When to sow	Regional note
South East Queensland	February to April
Northern Rivers NSW	February to May	Longer winter window than SEQ.
Sydney & Coastal NSW	February to May	Cool winters allow later plantings (May) for winter harvest.
Melbourne & Victoria	February to June	Seed indoors Feb to Mar (early), transplant Apr to May. Melbourne's long cool season extends harvest.
Adelaide & SA	December to March	Sow Dec to Mar so heads mature in cool weather. Winter or spring sowings run into November heat and button.
Perth & WA	February to August	Trays Feb to Mar in bright shade give the steadiest curds; transplant Mar to May. Quick self blanching types can still be sown to August.
Tasmania	November to January	Sow Nov to Jan, transplant by Feb to Mar, harvest through winter. Needs the long cool run that Tasmania provides.
Canberra & ACT	November to January	Sow Nov to Jan, transplant Jan to Mar so heads form in cool autumn. Later sowings stall in winter cold.
North Queensland	May and June	Dry season only. Most difficult brassica in tropics; sow May to Jun with heavy shade cloth.
Darwin & Top End	May and June	Dry season only. Most difficult brassica in tropics; sow May to Jun with heavy shade cloth.

Companion planting

Good companions

Avoid planting near

Strawberry
Tomato
Climbing beans

Harvest and storage

Harvest tip

Cut the head while the curd is tight, firm and white, before it loosens or discolours. Cut below the head with some wrapper leaves; it does not regrow.

Storage

Fridge in a sealed bag, up to 1 week. Blanch and freeze well.