Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea Botrytis Group)
1 sources cited · Verified
The short answer
- Plant
- Mid January to mid July
- Ready in
- 60–70 days
- Site
- soil pH 6.5–6.5
- Biggest risk
- White blister
In the UK, cauliflower go in the ground mid January to mid July, and are ready to harvest 60–70 days after planting.
Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea Botrytis Group) — annual/biennial, grown as annual.
Core growing advice on this page is checked against named horticultural and university-extension sources — see References.
Soil & Growing Conditions
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
Regional Planting Calendar
| Region | Sow |
|---|---|
| Southern England | mid January to mid July |
| Midlands | mid January to mid July |
| Northern England | mid January to mid July |
| Scotland | mid January to mid July |
Southern England - detail & sources
RHS: sowing time depends on type -- early-summer varieties sown mid-to-late winter indoors, summer/autumn varieties sown in spring indoors or mid-to-late spring outdoors, and winter/spring varieties sown late spring to early summer. No regional timing differences are given by RHS for this crop; the range above spans the earliest (early-summer type, mid-winter) to latest (winter/spring type, early summer) sowing across all types.
Midlands - detail & sources
RHS: sowing time depends on type -- early-summer varieties sown mid-to-late winter indoors, summer/autumn varieties sown in spring indoors or mid-to-late spring outdoors, and winter/spring varieties sown late spring to early summer. No regional timing differences are given by RHS for this crop.
Northern England - detail & sources
RHS: sowing time depends on type -- early-summer varieties sown mid-to-late winter indoors, summer/autumn varieties sown in spring indoors or mid-to-late spring outdoors, and winter/spring varieties sown late spring to early summer. No regional timing differences are given by RHS for this crop.
Scotland - detail & sources
RHS: sowing time depends on type -- early-summer varieties sown mid-to-late winter indoors, summer/autumn varieties sown in spring indoors or mid-to-late spring outdoors, and winter/spring varieties sown late spring to early summer. No regional timing differences are given by RHS for this crop.
Harvest & Storage
Diseases
Pests
Cauliflower, Field to Harvest
References
-
Tier 1. Primary source for sowing timing by type, spacing, soil pH, harvest indicators, and named pests/diseases.
1 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
When should I sow cauliflower in the UK?
In southern England, from mid January. In northern England and Scotland, wait until mid January. Treat these as a guide rather than a fixed date — the governing rule is to sow only once frost risk has passed and temperatures are reliably warm enough.
When do I sow cauliflower?
Sow mid January to mid July.
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
Most of the advice on this page comes down to timing and spacing — sowing at the right moment, rotating beds, and giving plants enough airflow. The UK Garden Planner lays your plot out month by month so those decisions are already made before the season starts.
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Last verified 2026-08-05
Tools That Help With This Crop
Use these links when the guide moves from reading into sowing, planting, watering, and keeping the crop healthy.
Plan the next step
Use the printable UK Vegetable Garden Planner to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts, and weekly garden tasks.