Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea Botrytis Group)
7 sources cited · Verified
The short answer
- Ready in
- 60–70 days
- Site
- soil pH 6.5–6.5
- Biggest risk
- White blister
In the UK, cauliflower are ready to harvest 60–70 days after planting.
Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea Botrytis Group) — annual/biennial, grown as annual.
This crop carries an unusually heavy problem load: 2 diseases, 5 pests and 0 nutrient issues are documented for it, so most of the effort in growing it well goes into prevention.
Core growing advice on this page is checked against named horticultural and university-extension sources — see References.
Diseases
Pests
Quick Facts
| Factor | Value |
|---|---|
| Soil pH | 6.5 - 6.5 |
| Optimal growing temp | 10-25C |
| Minimum survivable temp | -5C |
| Time to harvest | 60-70 days |
| Drainage | RHS: cauliflowers grow well in soil with a pH of about 6.5; chalk, clay, loam or sand soil types, rich and well-drained with high moisture-holding capacity. |
| Lifecycle | annual/biennial, grown as annual |
| Edible parts | flower buds (curd) |
At a Glance
Soil & Growing Conditions
Growth Stages
| Stage | BBCH | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Germination & seedling | 0 | Cauliflower is raised from seed, sown thinly about 1.5cm (¾in) deep in modules or a seedbed rather than sown direct, so plants can be grown on and transplanted without a check to growth. RHS: sow indoors from late winter for early summer crops, or outdoors from spring; Clemson notes transplants are produced in about five to eight weeks. Keep the compost consistently moist and harden plants off before planting out — any check at this stage can trigger premature "buttoning" (tiny, useless curds). |
| Vegetative growth (transplanting & leafing) | 3 | Transplant when plants are 10–15cm (4–6in) tall, at about six weeks old, into firm, fertile, moisture-retentive soil — loose or poor soil gives small, distorted curds. Spacing depends on type: RHS spaces summer/autumn cauliflowers 45–60cm (18–24in) apart in rows 60cm (24in) apart, winter/spring types about 70cm (28in) each way, and mini-caulis just 15cm (6in) apart; Clemson sets plants 18in apart in rows 3ft apart. Water in well, keep weed-free, feed with nitrogen for strong leaf growth, and net against pigeons and cabbage white caterpillars. |
| Curd formation (heading) | 4 | As the plant matures the growing point forms a tight curd of immature flower buds. Even, uninterrupted moisture is critical now: RHS says cauliflowers grow best in soil that is damp at all times — dry soil can stop growth so the head fails to form correctly — and Clemson stresses plants should never be short of water or fertiliser. To keep white curds pale, snap and fold the inner leaves over the curd (or tie them) to shade it from sun; in winter, bunch and tie the leaves over the curd and use fleece to protect it from hard frost. |
| Maturity & harvest | 8 | Cut the curd as soon as it is large enough while still firm and compact — RHS warns that once the head starts to separate it is past its best; Clemson gives roughly 60–70 days from transplanting, though winter types take far longer (three to six months from sowing overall). Harvest in the cool of the morning by cutting through the stem with a sharp knife, leaving a few wrapper leaves around the curd to protect it. Curds do not store for long, so cut as needed or keep in the fridge for a few days. |
Harvest & Storage
Cauliflower, Seed to Harvest
References
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Tier 1. Canadian source: start transplants 5-6 weeks before planting out; germinates in 5-6 days at 24C; transplant once days reach 10C and nights hold above -2C for several nights running, in Saskatoon any time after 13 May; 30-45 cm in row, 60-85 cm between rows; mature brassicas frost tolerant but young transplants much less so; blanch by tying outer leaves; harvest firm and dense; store near 0C at high humidity.
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Tier 1. US extension source: transplant 1-2 weeks before the last frost-free date with 4-6 mature leaves; 12-18 in in row, rows 2-3 ft; grows best below 75F; growth, yield and head quality all fall at 32F or above 80F; blanch when heads reach silver-dollar size; harvest at 6-12 in, compact and blanched; 1-2 in water per week; stores 3 weeks at 32F.
7 independent sources are cited for this crop. Where they disagree - soil pH is the clearest case - every figure is preserved rather than averaged into false precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do cauliflower take to grow?
Typically 60–70 days, depending on cultivar and growing conditions.
What soil pH do cauliflower need?
A pH of about 6.5–6.5. That span reflects genuine variation between the authorities we cite rather than a single agreed figure — the References section lists each source's exact range.
What problems affect cauliflower?
Our data links 2 diseases and 5 pests to this crop. See the sections above for each one and how to manage it.
Plan next season before the problems start
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