Cauliflower planting calendar for USDA Zone 8a

Wilmington NC, Columbia SC, Atlanta, Dallas, Norfolk. Average last spring frost March 28, first fall frost November 5 — a 222-day frost-free season.

Zone fit: excellent

Cauliflower is well suited to Zone 8a. Standard planting dates work with minor adjustments for microclimates.

Key dates

Start seeds indoors

February 7 – February 21

Transplant outdoors

February 28 – March 21

Expected first harvest

May 16 – June 13

Fall planting window

August 6 – August 27

Fall harvest window

October 22 – November 19

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 8a

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 8a

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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