When to plant cauliflower in London
Cauliflower is cold-hardy, so every date keys off London's frost dates of Apr 6.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 23 – Mar 16
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 23 – Apr 13
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 22 – Jun 16
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 13 – Jul 27
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 18 – Oct 13
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
London's 234-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
FROST
FROST
APR 6
NOV 16
Common questions
When will cauliflower be ready to harvest in London?
Expect to harvest from around late May (May 22–Jun 16) in London, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 74%.
When should I start cauliflower seeds indoors in London?
Start seeds indoors around late February (Feb 23–Mar 16) in London, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.
When can I transplant cauliflower outdoors in London?
Transplant outdoors around late March (Mar 23–Apr 13) in London, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
Can I plant cauliflower in autumn in London?
Yes — London supports a second, autumn sowing of cauliflower around mid July (Jul 13–Jul 27), timed to mature before the first fall frost.
How long is the growing season in London?
London has roughly 234 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 82/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.