When to plant cauliflower in zone 8a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 8A

Growing SeasonZone 8a

Last frost ~Mar 25First frost ~Nov 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

FEBMARAPRMAYJUN

Start indoors Feb 11 · Transplant Mar 4 · First harvest May 13 · Wrap by Jun 3

Last spring frostMar 25

Start seeds indoorsFeb 11

Transplant outMar 4

First harvestMay 13

Last harvestJun 3

Fall succession sowAug 4

First fall frostNov 10

Why these dates work in zone 8a

Zone 8a's last spring frost averages Mar 25 and first fall frost Nov 10 — about 230 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 Aug 4 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does cauliflower take to grow in zone 8a?

Cauliflower matures in about 70–100 days from transplanting. In zone 8a that means setting plants out around Mar 4 and first picking around May 13.

Will cauliflower survive frost in zone 8a?

Yes — cauliflower tolerates light frost. In zone 8a you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around Mar 25) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 10).

Can I plant a second crop of cauliflower in zone 8a?

Yes — in zone 8a there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 4 for a second harvest before frost.

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