When Should You Plant Cauliflower?
Set your conditions — the recommendation updates instantly.
GardenSays
Start cauliflower seeds indoors Feb 17 – Mar 3, transplant outside Apr 7 – Apr 14.
- Start seeds indoors
- Feb 17 – Mar 3
- Transplant outside
- Apr 7 – Apr 14
- Last frost (typ.)
- May 5
In Minneapolis, MN, the typical last frost lands around May 5. Working back 9-11 weeks from transplant time gives you a seed-starting window of Feb 17 – Mar 3 indoors. Cauliflower plants are tolerant of light frost, so they can go out Apr 7-Apr 14, even before the frost date.
- This year's transplant window (Apr 7 – Apr 14) has passed — dates shown are for planning next season.
Do this this week
- 1.Passed for this season — plan next spring: start seeds indoors ~Feb 17 – Mar 3, transplant ~Apr 7 – Apr 14
Calculated result · 3 verified sources · Checked 2026-07-17 · How we decide
Why
That leaves roughly 174 days of growing season before the typical first fall frost (Oct 5) — enough for most varieties. In a short-season area, favor early-maturing varieties (check the days-to-maturity on the tag).
- Frost kills tender seedlings outright, and cold soil stunts them even without frost — both dates matter.
- The 50% frost date is a planning midpoint: a late frost is still possible, so keep covers handy for the first two weeks.
When this doesn't apply
- Cauliflower is the fussiest cole crop — any stress (heat, drought, root damage) can button the curd. Steady conditions beat early planting.
- Season extenders (row covers, walls of water, cold frames) let you plant 2-3 weeks earlier than these windows.
- Frost dates are area averages — low spots and valley floors run colder than the local average.
How this was calculated
- 1. Last spring frostMay 5Source guidance
Minneapolis, MN: typical (50% probability) last 32°F frost
- 2. Seed starting windowFeb 17 – Mar 3Calculated result
Cauliflower: start indoors 9-11 weeks before your typical transplant date
- 3. Transplant windowApr 7 – Apr 14Calculated result
Cauliflower is tolerant of light frost: go out 21-28 days before the last frost, once soil has warmed
- 4. First fall frostOct 5Source guidance
Minneapolis, MN: typical first 32°F frost in fall — the season's endpoint
Data sources
- University of Maryland Extension — Growing Cauliflower in a Home Garden — Set out 5-7 week transplants 3-4 weeks before the frost-free date; spacing 18-24 in-row x 24-36 between rows; full sun; 50-80 days from transplanting; cut before curd sections separate (compact, firm, white); blanch at ~2 inches by tying outer leaves, 4-8 days. (checked 2026-07-17)
- NOAA NCEI — 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals (freeze date probabilities) (checked 2026-07-15)
- National Gardening Association — frost date lookup (checked 2026-07-15)
What changes this answer
Your location
47 options — use the search field in the calculator above.
Starting from
Every change updates the answer, the math, the weekly steps and the share link instantly.
People also ask
When should I plant broccoli?
Start broccoli seeds indoors Feb 17 – Mar 3, transplant outside Apr 7 – Apr 14. Calculate yours →
When is cauliflower ready to harvest?
Cauliflower plants are ready when curd compact, firm, white and fairly smooth — in Minneapolis, MN, typically May 27 – Jul 3. Calculate yours →
How far apart should cauliflower go?
Your 8×4 ft raised bed fits 8 cauliflower plants at 21-inch spacing. Calculate yours →
Your next decisions
When to Harvest Cauliflower
Blanch and cut cauliflower while the curd is still compact
Cauliflower Spacing
Space cauliflower for full curds in rows or raised beds
How Often to Water Cauliflower
Keep shallow-rooted cauliflower evenly moist through curd development
When to Plant Broccoli
Time broccoli transplants for spring and the (often better) fall crop
More planting dates tools: see all →