When to plant cauliflower in California
California’s average last spring frost is February 20, and the first fall frost typically arrives around December 1 — about 284 frost-free days (USDA zones 5a, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10a, 10b). Cauliflower needs 60–90 days to mature, which fits comfortably within California's growing season.
California covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant cauliflower in California: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Jan 30 – Feb 16, with seeds started indoors Jan 2 – Jan 16. 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 California, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Jan 2 – Jan 16). 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 (Jan 30 – Feb 16). 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 California.
- 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 Apr 7 – May 7). 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 California’s average frost dates. More in the full cauliflower growing guide.
Cauliflower planting dates by USDA zone in California
California spans USDA zones 5a, 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10a, 10b. 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.
| Zone | Last frost | First frost | Season | Start indoors | Plant cauliflower |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 5 | Apr 30 | Oct 5 | 160 days | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | Apr 9 – Apr 26 |
| Zone 6 | Apr 15 | Oct 15 | 185 days | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 11 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 5 | Oct 25 | 200 days | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 15 – Apr 1 |
| Zone 8 | Mar 20 | Nov 5 | 230 days | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Feb 27 – Mar 16 |
| Zone 9 | Feb 20 | Nov 30 | 280 days | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Jan 30 – Feb 16 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 30 | Dec 15 | 330 days | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | Jan 9 – Jan 26 |
Questions gardeners in California ask
When is the best time to plant cauliflower in California?
Plant cauliflower transplants outdoors in California between January 30 and February 16. That timing is set by California's average last spring frost of February 20; California spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
When should I start cauliflower seeds indoors in California?
Start seeds indoors between January 2 and January 16, about 6 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from January 30.
Can I plant cauliflower in the fall in California?
Yes. For a fall crop, start transplants between August 22 and September 8, so the crop matures in cool weather before California's first frost around December 1.
When will cauliflower planted in California be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, cauliflower is usually ready from about April 7 to May 7, 60-90 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in California?
On average around February 20, with the first fall frost around December 1 - about 284 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.