Skip to main content

A guide to growing your own cauliflower and saving money at the grocery store

Cauliflower is a cool-weather crop, able to grow in USDA hardiness zones 2 through 11. It’s often regarded as having a similar flavor to broccoli, though it has a nuttiness to it that sets it apart. Unlike some cool crops that are cold tolerant, cauliflower is quite finicky and doesn’t handle temperature fluctuations well. Because of that, it isn’t the best crop for beginners — though if you try growing it, you can expect it to test your patience. When grown well, cauliflower has a lot of benefits and uses that make it a great option for any home garden.

A bowl of riced cauliflower
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Why you should be growing cauliflower in your garden

Raw cauliflower has a rather high vitamin and nutrient profile, which makes it one of the best options for a homegrown vegetable (and why it’s become popular to use it as a substitute for some ingredients). Cauliflower is rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6, and vitamin K. It’s also high in fiber, which is beneficial for your gut and digestive health.

Recommended Videos

From a gardener’s perspective, growing cauliflower can be quite a challenge and can help you improve your overall skills. Knowing how to grow an in-between plant like cauliflower that doesn’t have complex requirements but is sensitive to temperature shifts can enable you to grow even more finicky plants in the future, helping you learn how to combat problems and what to do in time-sensitive situations. It’s a good transitioning plant for the beginner gardener looking to advance their skills and knowledge.

The best things to cook with cauliflower

Cauliflower has quickly become a low-carb alternative to a lot of grains and legumes. You’ve probably seen riced cauliflower in the frozen section of your grocery, and you can make it at home with your fresh crop! It’s relatively simple and a great way to still enjoy your favorite rice dish without adding too many carbs to your meal.

Another great option is to make a cauliflower “mac and cheese” of sorts, substituting the macaroni with cauliflower florets. Although this dish won’t be exactly the same, it’s a great way to make comfort food just a bit healthier on nights where you want something warm and easy to make.

And when in doubt, you can always eat your fresh, raw cauliflower as a snack with a nice ranch dip!

How to grow cauliflower so it thrives

Cauliflower plants should be sown 18 to 24 inches apart after the threat of the last frost has passed. Although it seems like a lot of space, the large amount of room will allow the crop to grow a strong root system and reach a mature size without having to fight other plants for nutrients, water, and sun. Your cauliflower plants will start to wane when temperatures are consistently above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, which is why they’re most successful when planted during the spring and fall.

Most people grow cauliflower as annuals; however, if you’re interested in letting some of your plants go to seed, you’ll need to leave a few unharvested and make sure they have some protection to survive the winter. When it reaches the following season, they’ll go to seed (though you may find it less complex to simply buy new seeds or plants from a local nursery each year).

Light needs: Full sun is ideal; partial shade in warmer weather can help prevent early bolting
Water needs: Regular watering and consistent moisture, ideally at least one inch per week, soaking six to eight inches of the soil each time
Soil needs: Well-draining soil that’s rich in organic matter

How long does cauliflower take to grow?

Cauliflower is a slow-growing crop, taking roughly 80 days to mature from seed to harvest (though some varieties take less). Because of their long growing time, planting them as soon as possible when the soil is workable and frost has passed is important, since the plants should be harvested before the hottest days of the summer. It can be beneficial to fertilize your cauliflower once every two to four weeks to ensure it continues getting the nutrients it needs.

A growing head of cauliflower
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How do you harvest cauliflower?

When your cauliflower head has reached around six to twelve inches in diameter, check to make sure the head is firm, compact, and white. To properly harvest, you should take a sterilized pair of shears or a hori-hori knife and cut the main stem, taking care to leave a few outer leaves attached to help protect the head of cauliflower and maintain its quality.

Common issues you may run into

Cauliflower is unfortunately susceptible to a slew of pests and rodents that are common among the cabbage-adjacent family. These include, but aren’t limited to:

  • Aphids
  • Cabbage loopers
  • Cabbage maggots
  • Cabbage worms
  • Flea beetles
  • Groundhogs

To minimize pest infestation, you should inspect your plants at least a few times a week, but ideally every time you go out to water them. This sets you up to discover problems early on and take care of them before the insects spread and cause irreversible damage to your crop. If you live in an area where groundhogs are an issue, you can simply fence in or cage your cauliflower plants to help deter them.

In general, healthy plants are happy plants. The stronger the crop, the less appealing it is to pests and disease. If you can successfully navigate the temperature needs of cauliflower, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful, versatile crop for nutrient-rich lunches, dinners, and snacks.

Kiera Baron
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kiera Baron is a freelance writer and editor, as well as a budding digital artist, based in Upstate NY. She is currently one…
Flowers to plant in spring: Your guide to beautiful blooms
Add these flowers to your garden this spring
Purple and white columbine flowers

If a long, cold winter spent indoors has you feeling down, then planning a spring garden bursting with life and color is the ultimate pick-me-up. From fruit trees to ferns, there are a nearly endless number of plants you can choose from for your garden. It's overwhelming to figure out where to start. That’s why we’ve put together this guide on flowers to plant in spring to help you get started. Check out these lovely flowers, pick your favorites, and start planting today for your best spring garden yet.
Pansy

Pansies are known for their bright, cheerful flowers that bloom in early spring. Coming in a mix of purple, yellow, blue, and white, pansies are an excellent way to welcome spring. You can plant them in your garden as soon as the ground has thawed enough to be workable, although you can plant them later in the season as well.

Read more
When and how do bananas reproduce? All your questions answered
Everything you need to know about how bananas grow
Banana tree with ripe fruit

Bananas are delicious, versatile, and full of nutrients our bodies need. They're enjoyed by both people and animals, and although they may not be the first fruit you think of when planning your garden, you can in fact grow them at home. If you’ve ever eaten a banana, though, you may have noticed that they don’t have seeds like an apple or orange.

You may be left wondering about how bananas reproduce. Do they actually have seeds after all, or is there another way to propagate them? If you aren't familiar with bananas, it can be frustrating to try and figure out what to do when you want to propagate them. To help you feel more prepared, we've put together this handy guide of everything you need to know about how bananas reproduce.
Where do bananas come from?

Read more
The best spring fruits to grow: Add these to your garden
Plant these fruits this spring for a tasty harvest
Ripe blackberries on the bush

Spring is a favorite season for many gardeners, and for good reason! The plants begin to wake up, the ground thaws, and you can begin planning and planting your next garden. There are plenty of plants to choose from, but there's nothing quite like fruit fresh from your own garden. From sweet figs to tart blackberries, there are many incredible fruits you can grow. To make the most of your garden, here are some of the best spring fruits you can plant today.
Blackberries

Ripe, juicy blackberries are a delicious treat, and they’re easy to grow. Plant these fruits in early spring and make sure they’re in full sun. Blackberries do best in rich, well-draining soil. Mixing compost into your soil can help significantly. Blackberries need roughly an inch of water each week, and they thrive in soil that is consistently moist but not soaking wet. Most blackberry varieties are ready for harvest in mid to late summer.

Read more