As a horticulture student I mainly studied crops and cultivation techniques. It fascinates me how many diverse plants can grow from small, nearly identical seeds. Favourite fruit: blueberries, grapes, raspberries, pears Favourite vegetables: mushrooms, peppers, kohlrabi, onions, garlic
Cauliflower has become a real staple vegetable in our diets. With the right care and attention, you can grow a delicious crop of cauliflowers in your own garden.
Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) looks very similar to broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. Italica). And no wonder – the two brassicas are closely related. Here you can find out about cauliflower’s origins, how it grows and how to ensure an abundant harvest.
Cauliflower is thought to originate from South West Asia, after which, it spread throughout Europe via Italy in the 16th century. Through centuries of selection, crossing and breeding, it has become the large, white vegetable we find today on our supermarket shelves. Now it is grown all over the world and is one of the most popular types of brassica. As the name cauliflower suggests, it is usually the clusters of flower sprouts that are eaten.
In the kitchen, cauliflower is an all-rounder: it can be boiled, roasted, and also eaten raw or even made into “cauliflower couscous”. It is rich in vitamin C, B-vitamins, fibre and other essential nutrients. But it is not just the cauliflower head that you can use in cooking. Discover what you can do with the leaves and how best to store them in our article on harvesting, storing and using cauliflower.
Hey fellow gardeners! I’ve been growing cauliflower for over 5 years now and lemme tell you – watching these beautiful plants develop from tiny seeds to full heads is super rewarding. Today I’m gonna walk you through every stage of cauliflower growth with detailed explanations that’ll help you grow amazing cauliflower in your own garden.
Why Should You Grow Cauliflower?
Before we dive into the growth stages, here’s why I think cauliflower deserves a spot in your garden:
- Super versatile – can be used in tons of recipes from pizza crusts to “wings”
- Packed with nutrients
- Looks impressive when fully grown
- Can be grown in both spring and fall
- Great sense of achievement when you harvest your first head!
The 6 Key Stages of Cauliflower Growth
1. Germination Stage (Days 0-10)
During this first stage your cauliflower seeds are just waking up! Here’s what happens
- Seeds absorb water and split open
- First tiny root (radicle) emerges
- Small stem pushes up through soil
- First leaves (cotyledons) appear
Pro tip: Keep soil temp around 70°F (21°C) for best germination rates!
2. Seedling Stage (Days 10-25)
This is when your baby cauliflower really starts to show its personality:
- True leaves develop (they look different from the first seed leaves)
- Root system begins expanding
- Stem thickens slightly
- Plant reaches about 2-3 inches tall
3. Early Vegetative Stage (Days 25-45)
Now we’re talking! Your plant is getting bigger
- Multiple leaves form
- Stem continues to thicken
- Plant reaches about 6-8 inches tall
- Root system expands significantly
4. Late Vegetative Stage (Days 45-60)
This is when things get exciting:
- Large outer leaves develop
- Plant reaches near full size
- Stem becomes very thick
- Leaves start cupping inward
5. Head Formation Stage (Days 60-75)
The moment we’ve all been waiting for:
- Small white head begins forming in center
- Outer leaves protect developing head
- Head slowly increases in size
- Leaves naturally blanch the head
6. Maturity Stage (Days 75-100)
The grand finale:
- Head reaches full size (6-8 inches diameter)
- Curds are tight and compact
- Color is creamy white
- Ready for harvest!
Essential Growing Conditions for Each Stage
Temperature Requirements
| Growth Stage | Ideal Temperature ||--------------|------------------|| Germination | 70°F (21°C) || Seedling | 60-65°F (15-18°C)|| Vegetative | 60-70°F (15-21°C)|| Head Formation| 60-65°F (15-18°C)|Common Problems at Different Stages
-
Germination Issues:
- Seeds not sprouting
- Damping off disease
- Irregular germination
-
Seedling Problems:
- Leggy growth
- Weak stems
- Yellowing leaves
-
Vegetative Stage Issues:
- Pest damage
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Irregular watering effects
-
Head Formation Problems:
- Button heads
- Browning
- Loose curds
My Top Tips for Success
- Timing is Everything
- Spring crop: Start seeds 4-6 weeks before last frost
- Fall crop: Start seeds 12-14 weeks before first frost
- Soil Preparation
- Rich, well-draining soil
- pH between 6.0-7.0
- Lots of organic matter
- Spacing Matters
- Between plants: 18-24 inches
- Between rows: 24-30 inches
- Water Requirements
- Consistent moisture
- About 1-1.5 inches per week
- Avoid getting heads wet
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Hey, we all face growing pains! Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Yellow Leaves? Probably needs nitrogen
- Purple Tint? Phosphorus deficiency
- Small Heads? Temperature stress or crowding
- Loose Curds? Temperature fluctuations
Harvest Time!
You’ll know it’s time to harvest when:
- Head is firm and compact
- Size is about 6-8 inches across
- Color is creamy white
- Curds are tight
Growing cauliflower ain’t always easy, but it’s totally worth it! Just remember to:
- Monitor each growth stage carefully
- Maintain consistent growing conditions
- Address problems quickly
- Be patient – good things take time!
Whether you’re a newbie gardener or a seasoned pro, understanding these growth stages will help you grow awesome cauliflower. Trust me, there’s nothing like serving up a dish made with cauliflower you grew yourself!
Need more gardening tips? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear about your cauliflower growing adventures!
[Note: Growth times are approximate and may vary based on variety and growing conditions]
How to care for cauliflower
When it comes to cauliflower care, there are a few things you can do to keep your plants happy and ensure a bountiful harvest. From watering and fertilising to protecting your plants from pests and diseases, here are the most important things to bear in mind.
Differences between cauliflower, Romanesco and broccoli
Romanesco (Brassica oleracea convar. botrytis var. botrytis) is also Romanesco cauliflower or Romanesco broccoli. It is a variety of cauliflower and contains more vitamin C than its relative. As the name Romanesco suggests, it is thought to have been cultivated in Italy, near Rome.
Broccoli is closely related to cauliflower, but genetically much more distant than Romanesco cauliflower. However, compared to white cauliflower varieties, broccoli is packed with more vitamins.
You can find out exactly where and how to plant cauliflower along with other helpful tips in our article on planting cauliflower.
CAULIFLOWER Time-lapse
0