When to plant cauliflower in District of Columbia
District of Columbia’s average last spring frost is April 10, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 25 — about 198 frost-free days (USDA zones 7a, 7b, 8a). Cauliflower needs 60–90 days to mature, which fits comfortably within District of Columbia's growing season.
When to plant cauliflower in District of Columbia: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Mar 20 – Apr 6, with seeds started indoors Feb 20 – Mar 6. 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 District of Columbia, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Feb 20 – Mar 6). 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 20 – Apr 6). 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 District of Columbia.
- 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 26 – Jun 25). 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 District of Columbia’s average frost dates. More in the full cauliflower growing guide.
Cauliflower planting dates by USDA zone in District of Columbia
District of Columbia spans USDA zones 7a, 7b, 8a. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia (this page) | April 10 | Mar 20 – Apr 6 |
| New Jersey | April 20 | Mar 30 – Apr 16 |
| Pennsylvania | May 1 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
| Delaware | April 14 | Mar 24 – Apr 10 |
| Maryland | April 14 | Mar 24 – Apr 10 |
| Virginia | April 15 | Mar 25 – Apr 11 |
| West Virginia | May 5 | Apr 14 – May 1 |
Questions gardeners in District of Columbia ask
When is the best time to plant cauliflower in District of Columbia?
Plant cauliflower transplants outdoors in District of Columbia between March 20 and April 6. That timing is set by District of Columbia's average last spring frost of April 10.
When should I start cauliflower seeds indoors in District of Columbia?
Start seeds indoors between February 20 and March 6, about 6 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from March 20.
Can I plant cauliflower in the fall in District of Columbia?
Yes. For a fall crop, start transplants between July 16 and August 2, so the crop matures in cool weather before District of Columbia's first frost around October 25.
When will cauliflower planted in District of Columbia be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, cauliflower is usually ready from about May 26 to June 25, 60-90 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in District of Columbia?
On average around April 10, with the first fall frost around October 25 - about 198 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.