Cauliflower planting calendar for USDA Zone 9b

Orlando, Tampa, San Antonio, southern LA coast. Average last spring frost February 5, first fall frost December 15 — a 313-day frost-free season.

Zone fit: good

Cool-season crops bolt fast under Zone 9b heat. Prioritize the fall planting window and use shade cloth for any spring succession.

Key dates

Start seeds indoors

December 18 – January 1

Transplant outdoors

January 8 – January 29

Expected first harvest

March 26 – April 23

Fall planting window

September 15 – October 6

Fall harvest window

December 1 – December 29

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 9b

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 9b

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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