edenhana

Cauliflower

Slower and fussier than broccoli, needing steady moisture and cool conditions to form a tight, unblemished head.

Sun
full sun
Water
moderate
Spacing
50cm
Harvest
Ready in 120-140 days
Difficulty
advanced
Grows in
Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago, Invercargill / Southland
Expected yield
1 head per plant
Cost to grow
~$8 NZD
Grocery value
~$25 NZD
Companion plants
Beans, Celery, Oregano, Peas, Nasturtiums
Plants to avoid nearby
Potatoes, Strawberries, Tomatoes
Common diseases
Clubroot, Black rot
Common pests
Cabbage white butterfly caterpillar, Aphids

When to plant by region

In Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne and Napier / Hawke's Bay: January-August. In Hamilton / Waikato, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson and Tasman: February-March and July-August. In Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast and Christchurch / Canterbury: January-February and August. In Dunedin / Otago and Invercargill / Southland: January and August.

Growing stages

  1. Germination & sowing

    • Usually started as seedlings or sown direct well ahead of its long 120-140 day harvest window
    • Needs steady moisture from germination onward, since any early check in growth can affect curd quality later

  2. Seedling & establishment

    • Protect young plants from cabbage white butterfly caterpillars with netting
    • Aphids can also target soft new growth

  3. Vegetative growth

    • Needs steady moisture and cool conditions throughout; growth checks now can lead to small or poorly formed curds later
    • Clubroot and black rot are the main disease risks, particularly in poorly drained or acidic soil

  4. Curd formation

    • Keep moisture consistent as the curd forms to avoid a small or poorly formed head
    • Continue watching for cabbage white caterpillars and aphids on the developing curd

  5. Harvest120-140 days from sowing

    • Cut while the curd is still tight and unblemished, before it starts to open and discolour
    • Curds can discolour quickly once exposed to strong sun, so cut promptly rather than leaving them to hold

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