Cauliflower: Spacing, Yield & Planting Dates
Plant count & yield calculator
Pre-filled for this crop — adjust bed size or pick a different vegetable.
Enter bed size to count plants.
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Assumptions and formulas will appear here once you calculate.
Seed starting dates
Pre-filled last frost — change the date to rebuild the full crop schedule. For Cauliflower with this frost date : start indoors ~Mar 4, transplant ~Apr 8 .
Pick a last frost date for the schedule.
Your result
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Show the math & assumptions
Assumptions and formulas will appear here once you calculate.
About cauliflower
Cauliflower is the most temperamental brassica but rewards attentive gardeners with pristine white heads perfect for roasting, rice substitutes, and crudite platters.
Spacing & yield
Cauliflower wants 18×24 inches and about 2 lb per plant at ~75 days to maturity.
Growing tips
- Blanch white varieties by tying outer leaves over the developing head to prevent yellowing.
- Keep soil evenly moist — any stress causes buttoning (tiny premature heads).
- Transplant early so heads mature before sustained heat above 80 F.
- Self-blanching and colored varieties reduce maintenance effort.
Common mistakes
- Exposing curds to direct sun, turning them yellow and developing off-flavors.
- Allowing transplant shock from rootbound starts or cold snaps.
- Under-fertilizing — cauliflower is a heavy feeder that needs consistent nutrition.
Harvest & storage
Cut heads with a few wrapper leaves attached when curds are compact and 6-8 inches across, about 75 days from transplant.
Refrigerate wrapped in plastic for up to 2 weeks; blanch florets and freeze for longer storage.
Companion planting
Good neighbors for cauliflower: celery, beans, onions, oregano, dill. Avoid planting beside: strawberries, tomatoes, peppers.
Planting calendar
Start indoors about 6 weeks before last frost, then transplant 1 weeks before frost. Use the seed-starting calculator above with your real county frost date — the April 15 default is only a worked example (zone 6 style).
Estimates only — consult your local extension office for advice specific to your land and animals.
Frequently asked questions
- What spacing does cauliflower require?
- Space 18 inches in-row and 24 inches between rows; cauliflower needs ample room and consistent conditions.
- How big will a cauliflower head get?
- Home-grown heads typically weigh around 2 lb; they reach 6-8 inches across under good conditions.
- Why did my cauliflower make a tiny head?
- Buttoning results from transplant stress, inconsistent watering, or temperatures above 80 F during head formation.