When to plant cauliflower in Melbourne
Cauliflower is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Melbourne's frost dates of Aug 28.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jul 17 – Aug 7
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Aug 14 – Sep 4
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Oct 13 – Nov 7
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
Melbourne's 270-day season leaves this much room.
Cauliflower on Melbourne's growing year
Frost-bounded season with crops mapped onto the 12-month axis.
Frost risk Growing Harvest
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
FROST
AUG 28
MAY 25
Common questions
When will cauliflower be ready to harvest in Melbourne?
Expect to harvest from around mid October (Oct 13–Nov 7) in Melbourne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.
When should I start cauliflower seeds indoors in Melbourne?
Start seeds indoors around mid July (Jul 17–Aug 7) in Melbourne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
When can I transplant cauliflower outdoors in Melbourne?
Transplant outdoors around mid August (Aug 14–Sep 4) in Melbourne, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
How long is the growing season in Melbourne?
Melbourne has roughly 270 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow cauliflower to maturity outdoors.
The rule of thumb
Sow cauliflower as soon as the soil is workable — it tolerates cool weather and light frost. Every date on this page is derived from that rule and Melbourne's frost dates.
Confidence 86/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.