Leafy & brassicas
Cauliflower
Compact curds that need an even start.
Sowing & planting windows in Australia
Planting timing varies by broad Australian gardening zone. Local weather, unusual seasons and your garden’s microclimate can shift timing.
Cool
Sow · Nov-Mar
Core months: January, February, March, November, December
Temperate
Sow · Dec-Apr
Core months: January, February, March, April, December
Subtropical
Sow · Mar-May
Core months: March, April, May
Tropical
Sow · Mar-May
Core months: March, April, May
Arid
Sow · Feb-Jul
Core months: February, March, April, May, June, July
Getting started
Raise seed in trays or a seedbed, then transplant healthy young plants without letting them become pot-bound or dry out.
The right conditions
Choose fertile, well-drained soil and a sunny position. Variety and growing conditions strongly affect success; cauliflower is sensitive to interruptions in growth.
As it grows
Maintain reliable moisture and keep weeds down. For white varieties that need it, draw leaves over the developing curd to shade it; some varieties cover themselves.
Ready to harvest
Cut the head while the curd is compact and firm, before it separates or becomes loose. Check frequently once a head forms, as the best harvest stage can pass quickly.
Plant guidance: Desk-reviewed against linked sources; not field-tested. Planting windows are a guide rather than a rule.