Growing cauliflower: timing, spacing and costs by zone

When to plant

Cauliflower: cool-season, half-hardy to frost. Plant when soil reaches 55–75°F. Dates below are averages worked out from each zone's frost dates — check your own field.

• Zone 6b (Boone NC): set out March 27 – April 17; fall planting July 9 – July 30. First picking around June 12 – July 10.
• Zone 7b (Raleigh): set out March 11 – April 1; fall planting July 23 – August 13. First picking around May 27 – June 24.
• Zone 8b (Charleston SC): set out February 15 – March 8; fall planting August 16 – September 6. First picking around May 3 – May 31.
• Zone 9a (Gainesville FL): set out January 28 – February 18; fall planting September 1 – September 22. First picking around April 15 – May 13.

Setting it up

Grow as transplants, started about 6 weeks before last frost. Space plants 18 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart, about 0.25 inch deep. Expect roughly 70 days to first harvest.

Field notes

Blanch heads by folding outer leaves over developing curds when they reach 2 inches, unless growing a self-blanching variety.

How it fits each zone

• Zone 6b: excellent — Cauliflower is well suited to Zone 6b. Standard planting dates work with minor adjustments for microclimates.
• Zone 7b: excellent — Cauliflower is well suited to Zone 7b. Standard planting dates work with minor adjustments for microclimates.
• Zone 8b: excellent — Cauliflower is well suited to Zone 8b. Standard planting dates work with minor adjustments for microclimates.
• Zone 9a: good — Cool-season crops bolt fast under Zone 9a heat. Prioritize the fall planting window and use shade cloth for any spring succession.

Before you plant

Line up who will buy it and at what price before seed goes in the ground. See the planting calendar for your exact zone.