When to plant cauliflower in Kentucky
Kentucky’s average last spring frost is April 18, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 20 — about 185 frost-free days (USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a). Cauliflower needs 60–90 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Kentucky's growing season.
When to plant cauliflower in Kentucky: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Mar 28 – Apr 14, with seeds started indoors Feb 28 – Mar 14. 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 Kentucky, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Feb 28 – Mar 14). 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 28 – Apr 14). 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 Kentucky.
- 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 Jun 3 – Jul 3). 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 Kentucky’s average frost dates. More in the full cauliflower growing guide.
Cauliflower planting dates by USDA zone in Kentucky
Kentucky spans USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky (this page) | April 18 | Mar 28 – Apr 14 |
| North Carolina | April 5 | Mar 15 – Apr 1 |
| South Carolina | March 25 | Mar 4 – Mar 21 |
| Georgia | March 25 | Mar 4 – Mar 21 |
| Tennessee | April 10 | Mar 20 – Apr 6 |
Questions gardeners in Kentucky ask
When is the best time to plant cauliflower in Kentucky?
Plant cauliflower transplants outdoors in Kentucky between March 28 and April 14. That timing is set by Kentucky's average last spring frost of April 18.
When should I start cauliflower seeds indoors in Kentucky?
Start seeds indoors between February 28 and March 14, about 6 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from March 28.
Can I plant cauliflower in the fall in Kentucky?
Yes. For a fall crop, start transplants between July 11 and July 28, so the crop matures in cool weather before Kentucky's first frost around October 20.
When will cauliflower planted in Kentucky be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, cauliflower is usually ready from about June 3 to July 3, 60-90 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in Kentucky?
On average around April 18, with the first fall frost around October 20 - about 185 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.