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← How to grow cauliflower
Planting Calendar · Zone 3A

When to plant cauliflower in zone 3a

In USDA zone 3a, start cauliflower seeds indoors around Apr 18, transplant outdoors May 9, and harvest from Jul 18.

We don’t publish a planting calendar for zone 3a, because every date on one would be counted from a last-frost date this zone doesn’t reliably have. Cauliflower takes about 70–100 days from transplanting to first picking, and that part holds anywhere. For real dates, tell us where you are below and Garzed reads ten years of weather at your own coordinates.

Why these dates work in zone 3a

Zone 3a's last spring frost averages May 30 and first fall frost Sep 10 — about 103 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 Jun 4 for a second harvest before frost. One caveat: we haven't yet checked zone 3a against the weather archive, so those frost dates are an inherited estimate rather than a measurement. Give Garzed your location and it works from that location's own ten-year record instead.

Common questions

How long does cauliflower take to grow in zone 3a?

Cauliflower matures in about 70–100 days from transplanting. In zone 3a that means setting plants out around May 9 and first picking around Jul 18.

Will cauliflower survive frost in zone 3a?

Yes — cauliflower tolerates light frost. In zone 3a you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around May 30) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Sep 10).

Can I plant a second crop of cauliflower in zone 3a?

Yes — in zone 3a there's time for a fall sowing around Jun 4 for a second harvest before frost.

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