When to plant cauliflower in zone 10a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 10A

Growing SeasonZone 10a

Last frost ~Jan 31First frost ~Dec 15Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

DECJANFEBMARAPR

Start indoors Dec 20 · Transplant Jan 10 · First harvest Mar 21 · Wrap by Apr 11

Last spring frostJan 31

Start seeds indoorsDec 20

Transplant outJan 10

First harvestMar 21

Last harvestApr 11

Fall succession sowSep 8

First fall frostDec 15

Why these dates work in zone 10a

Zone 10a's last spring frost averages Jan 31 and first fall frost Dec 15 — about 318 frost-free days. Cauliflower tolerates light frost, so you can set plants out ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall. Starting seeds indoors 6 weeks ahead gives strong transplants ready the moment the soil warms. There's also room for a fall succession sowing around Sep 8 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does cauliflower take to grow in zone 10a?

Cauliflower matures in about 70–100 days from transplanting. In zone 10a that means setting plants out around Jan 10 and first picking around Mar 21.

Will cauliflower survive frost in zone 10a?

Yes — cauliflower tolerates light frost. In zone 10a you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around Jan 31) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Dec 15).

Can I plant a second crop of cauliflower in zone 10a?

Yes — in zone 10a there's time for a fall sowing around Sep 8 for a second harvest before frost.

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full cauliflower growing guide →