When to plant cauliflower in zone 8b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 8B

Growing SeasonZone 8b

Last frost ~Mar 15First frost ~Nov 15Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

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Start indoors Feb 1 · Transplant Feb 22 · First harvest May 3 · Wrap by May 24

Last spring frostMar 15

Start seeds indoorsFeb 1

Transplant outFeb 22

First harvestMay 3

Last harvestMay 24

Fall succession sowAug 9

First fall frostNov 15

Why these dates work in zone 8b

Zone 8b's last spring frost averages Mar 15 and first fall frost Nov 15 — about 245 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 9 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

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

Cauliflower matures in about 70–100 days from transplanting. In zone 8b that means setting plants out around Feb 22 and first picking around May 3.

Will cauliflower survive frost in zone 8b?

Yes — cauliflower tolerates light frost. In zone 8b you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around Mar 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 15).

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

Yes — in zone 8b there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 9 for a second harvest before frost.

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