Cauliflower planting calendar for USDA Zone 6a

Western NC mountains, southern PA, central OH, northern MO. Average last spring frost May 1, first fall frost October 1 — a 153-day frost-free season.

Zone fit: excellent

Cauliflower is well suited to Zone 6a. Standard planting dates work with minor adjustments for microclimates.

Key dates

Start seeds indoors

March 13 – March 27

Transplant outdoors

April 3 – April 24

Expected first harvest

June 19 – July 17

Fall planting window

July 2 – July 23

Fall harvest window

September 17 – October 15

Windows are calculated from your zone's average frost dates. Adjust ±1 week for microclimates, elevation, and your own frost records.

Spacing and soil

Plant spacing: 18″
Row spacing: 30″
Seed depth: 0.25″
Soil temperature: 55–75°F
Frost tolerance: half-hardy
Days to harvest: 70 days

Grower notes for Zone 6a

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

Plant near: celery, onions

Keep away from: tomatoes, strawberries

Other brassicas for Zone 6a

Same crop, other zones

Track your own plantings

BAU Farm Intelligence turns these windows into per-field tasks — indoor seed-start reminders, transplant dates, harvest projections — using your farm's actual frost history.

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