When to plant cauliflower in Alabama
Alabama’s average last spring frost is March 25, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 5 — about 225 frost-free days (USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a). Cauliflower needs 60–90 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Alabama's growing season.
When to plant cauliflower in Alabama: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Mar 4 – Mar 21, with seeds started indoors Feb 4 – Feb 18. Seeds germinate in soil from 45 to 85°F.
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow cauliflower in Alabama, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Feb 4 – Feb 18). Sow seeds ½ inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 5-10 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 75°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. It needs at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 18 inches deep, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (Mar 4 – Mar 21). Space plants about 18 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart. It tolerates a light frost but not a hard freeze. As a cool-season crop it does best before summer heat arrives in Alabama.
- Water and feed. It needs plenty of water; keep the soil evenly moist and never let it dry out.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: cabbage worm, cabbage looper, aphids, cabbage root maggot. Diseases and disorders: clubroot, black rot, downy mildew.
- Harvest (from about May 10 – Jun 9). Cauliflower takes 60-90 days to reach harvest. The fussiest brassica - any check from cold, heat, or drought ruins the head. Fall crops are far more reliable than spring. Blanch white types by tying leaves over the curd.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Alabama’s average frost dates. More in the full cauliflower growing guide.
Cauliflower planting dates by USDA zone in Alabama
Alabama spans USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the cauliflower dates shift with them.
When to plant cauliflower in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama (this page) | March 25 | Mar 4 – Mar 21 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Feb 27 – Mar 16 |
| Louisiana | March 5 | Feb 12 – Mar 1 |
| Florida | February 12 | Jan 22 – Feb 8 |
| Arkansas | April 3 | Mar 13 – Mar 30 |
Questions gardeners in Alabama ask
When is the best time to plant cauliflower in Alabama?
Plant cauliflower transplants outdoors in Alabama between March 4 and March 21. That timing is set by Alabama's average last spring frost of March 25.
When should I start cauliflower seeds indoors in Alabama?
Start seeds indoors between February 4 and February 18, about 6 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from March 4.
Can I plant cauliflower in the fall in Alabama?
Yes. For a fall crop, start transplants between July 27 and August 13, so the crop matures in cool weather before Alabama's first frost around November 5.
When will cauliflower planted in Alabama be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, cauliflower is usually ready from about May 10 to June 9, 60-90 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in Alabama?
On average around March 25, with the first fall frost around November 5 - about 225 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.