When to plant cauliflower in London

Cauliflower is cold-hardy, so every date keys off London's frost dates of Apr 10.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 27 – Mar 20
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 27 – Apr 17
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 26 – Jun 20
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
London's 209-day season leaves this much room.
Cauliflower on London'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
APR 10
NOV 5

Common questions

When will cauliflower be ready to harvest in London?

Expect to harvest from around late May (May 26–Jun 20) in London, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.

When should I start cauliflower seeds indoors in London?

Start seeds indoors around late February (Feb 27–Mar 20) in London, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

When can I transplant cauliflower outdoors in London?

Transplant outdoors around late March (Mar 27–Apr 17) in London, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.

How long is the growing season in London?

London has roughly 209 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 London's frost dates.

Confidence 88/100 · NOAA GHCN-Daily · 1991–2020 normals · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.