Field guide
When to plant cauliflower in USDA Zones 1–4
In USDA Zones 1–4, the planner’s broad outdoor planting window for cauliflower runs from May to June, with a second window from July. Cauliflower takes 55–80 days from planting to first harvest.
Open plannerPlanting calendar for USDA Zones 1–4
- Spring planting
- May to June
- Fall planting
- July
- Days to harvest
- 55–80 days
- Water needs
- high
What USDA Zones 1–4 do—and do not—tell you
These zones span average annual extreme minimum temperatures of roughly -60°F to -20°F. That is useful climate context, but it does not determine your exact frost dates. Check a local forecast or county Extension calendar before planting tender crops.
How to know when to harvest
- Head is 6-8 inches across, compact and white (or purple/green for those varieties)
- Curds are smooth and tight — ricey texture means it's past prime
- Blanch white varieties by tying outer leaves over the head 7-10 days before harvest
Want a plan that accounts for your crops, growing method, equipment, and plant conditions? Open the free planner for a daily crop checklist and adaptive harvest forecast.
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