leafy · transplant · advanced
Cauliflower: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating cauliflower a few times a week needs about 3 plants in ~12 sq ft, worth about $14 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$3.00/lb retail — an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 1 | ~4 sq ft | ~2 | ~$5 |
| 2 people | 2 | ~8 sq ft | ~3 | ~$9 |
| 4 people | 3 | ~12 sq ft | ~4 | ~$14 |
| 6 people | 4 | ~15 sq ft | ~5 | ~$18 |
Spacing
18" in row · 30" between rows
Sow depth
0.5"
Days to harvest
60 from transplant (75 from seed)
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 20 | Jun 1 – Jul 6 |
| Zone 4 | Mar 19 – Apr 15 | Jun 11 – Jul 16 |
| Zone 5 | Mar 9 – Apr 5 | Jun 21 – Jul 26 |
| Zone 6 | Feb 27 – Mar 26 | Jul 1 – Aug 5 |
| Zone 7 | Feb 12 – Mar 11 | Jul 11 – Aug 15 |
| Zone 8 | Feb 1 – Feb 28 | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Zone 9 | Jan 1 – Jan 26 | Aug 21 – Sep 25 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 1 – Jan 6 | Aug 31 – Oct 5 |
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Yield
About 1.5 heads per plant over ~1 productive weeks (~1.5 lb).
Watch for
Cabbage worms & loopers · Aphids · Flea beetles — the pest guide covers organic fixes for each, and Pest Radar shows what gardeners near you are reporting right now.
Neighbors
Plays well with beet. Keep away from tomato-slicing.
On the plate (per 100 g, USDA)
25 kcal · 2 g fiber · 48.2 mg vitamin C · 299 mg potassium
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code — not just your zone — in about 60 seconds.