Cauliflower has a reputation for being difficult because it genuinely is less forgiving than almost any other brassica.
Cauliflower has a reputation for being tricky because it resents any check to its growth — a dry spell or a root disturbance can trigger a small, premature curd. Timing the harvest matters too: a mature curd can discolour and separate within days if left too long.
Sowing & growing calendar
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | Sow in March | Sow in April | Sow in May | |||||||||
| Plant | Plant in May | Plant in June | ||||||||||
| Harvest | Harvest in June | Harvest in July | Harvest in August | Harvest in September | Harvest in October | Harvest in November | ||||||
| Job | Job in May | Job in June | Job in July |
Care details
- Sow March – May
Sow indoors or under cover — cauliflower resents any check to its growth.
- Plant May – June
Plant out into firm, fertile soil.
- Job May – July
Snap a few leaves over the curd once it’s visible, to keep it white and shaded.
- Harvest June – November
Cut promptly once the curd is full but still tight — it discolours and separates fast once mature.
Growing tips & common problems
- Keep growth completely uninterrupted — even a short dry spell can trigger a small, premature curd ("buttoning").
- Snap a few outer leaves over the curd once it appears, to keep it pale and shield it from the sun.
- Cut promptly once the curd is full but still tight; left even a few days too long, it discolours and separates.
Grows well with
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