WhenToPlantGuide

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When to plant cauliflower

Plant cauliflower from 2 weeks before the last spring frost up to the last spring frost in spring, or 10–13 weeks before the first fall frost for a fall crop. Wait until the soil is at least 45°F. That works out to zone 5b (late April to early May), zone 7a (early April to mid April) and zone 9a (mid February to early March).

Cauliflower planting dates by zone

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec 2a Start indoors Mar 25 – Apr 8 Plant May 6 – May 20 Fall planting Jun 10 – Jul 1 3b Start indoors Mar 22 – Apr 5 Plant May 3 – May 17 Fall planting Jun 24 – Jul 15 4a Start indoors Mar 20 – Apr 3 Plant May 1 – May 15 Fall planting Jun 27 – Jul 18 4b Start indoors Mar 18 – Apr 1 Plant Apr 29 – May 13 Fall planting Jun 30 – Jul 21 5a Start indoors Mar 16 – Mar 30 Plant Apr 27 – May 11 Fall planting Jul 2 – Jul 23 5b Start indoors Mar 10 – Mar 24 Plant Apr 21 – May 5 Fall planting Jul 9 – Jul 30 6a Start indoors Mar 5 – Mar 19 Plant Apr 16 – Apr 30 Fall planting Jul 16 – Aug 6 6b Start indoors Feb 27 – Mar 13 Plant Apr 10 – Apr 24 Fall planting Jul 20 – Aug 10 7a Start indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4 Plant Apr 1 – Apr 15 Fall planting Jul 26 – Aug 16 7b Start indoors Feb 9 – Feb 23 Plant Mar 23 – Apr 6 Fall planting Aug 2 – Aug 23 8a Start indoors Jan 30 – Feb 13 Plant Mar 13 – Mar 27 Fall planting Aug 8 – Aug 29 8b Start indoors Jan 19 – Feb 2 Plant Mar 2 – Mar 16 Fall planting Aug 16 – Sep 6 9a Start indoors Jan 5 – Jan 19 Plant Feb 16 – Mar 2 Fall planting Aug 27 – Sep 17 9b Start indoors Dec 10 – Dec 24 Plant Jan 21 – Feb 4 Fall planting Sep 10 – Oct 1 10a Start indoors Nov 13 – Nov 27 Plant Dec 25 – Jan 8 Fall planting Sep 24 – Oct 15
■ spring planting · ■ fall planting · ■ start seeds indoors. Zones from the USDA 2023 map; dates from NOAA frost normals for the weather stations in each zone.
ZoneSpringFallcauliflower ready from
4a May 1 – May 15Jun 27 – Jul 18 Jul 2
4b Apr 29 – May 13Jun 30 – Jul 21 Jun 30
5a Apr 27 – May 11Jul 2 – Jul 23 Jun 28
5b Apr 21 – May 5Jul 9 – Jul 30 Jun 22
6a Apr 16 – Apr 30Jul 16 – Aug 6 Jun 17
6b Apr 10 – Apr 24Jul 20 – Aug 10 Jun 11
7a Apr 1 – Apr 15Jul 26 – Aug 16 Jun 2
7b Mar 23 – Apr 6Aug 2 – Aug 23 May 24
8a Mar 13 – Mar 27Aug 8 – Aug 29 May 14
8b Mar 2 – Mar 16Aug 16 – Sep 6 May 3
9a Feb 16 – Mar 2Aug 27 – Sep 17 Apr 19
9b Jan 21 – Feb 4Sep 10 – Oct 1 Mar 24

How to plant cauliflower

Plant astransplants
Soil temperature45°F or warmer
DepthSame depth as the pot
Spacing18–24 in
LightFull sun
Time to harvest55–80 days
Start indoors6–8 weeks before the last frost (zone 6a: Mar 5 – Mar 19; zone 8a: Jan 30 – Feb 13)

Cauliflower is fussier than broccoli: any stress (cold, heat, drought) can cause small heads.

Fall planting is the most reliable in most regions.

Keep the soil evenly moist the whole season.

When to harvest cauliflower

Harvest when the head is 6–8 inches across and still compact. Tie leaves over white varieties when heads are egg-sized to keep them white.

Exact dates for your town: planting calendar · frost dates by state.

More vegetables to plant

Tomatoes · Bell peppers · Potatoes · Pumpkins · Cucumbers · Okra · Zucchini · Watermelon