When to plant cauliflower in Massachusetts
Massachusetts’s average last spring frost is April 24, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 14 — about 173 frost-free days (USDA zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a). Cauliflower needs 60–90 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Massachusetts's growing season.
When to plant cauliflower in Massachusetts: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 3 – Apr 20, with seeds started indoors Mar 6 – Mar 20. 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 Massachusetts, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 6 – Mar 20). 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 (Apr 3 – Apr 20). 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 Massachusetts.
- 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 9 – Jul 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 Massachusetts’s average frost dates. More in the full cauliflower growing guide.
Cauliflower planting dates by USDA zone in Massachusetts
Massachusetts spans USDA zones 5a, 5b, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts (this page) | April 24 | Apr 3 – Apr 20 |
| Maine | May 14 | Apr 23 – May 10 |
| New Hampshire | May 13 | Apr 22 – May 9 |
| Vermont | May 14 | Apr 23 – May 10 |
| Rhode Island | April 25 | Apr 4 – Apr 21 |
| Connecticut | April 25 | Apr 4 – Apr 21 |
| New York | May 1 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
Questions gardeners in Massachusetts ask
When is the best time to plant cauliflower in Massachusetts?
Plant cauliflower transplants outdoors in Massachusetts between April 3 and April 20. That timing is set by Massachusetts's average last spring frost of April 24.
When should I start cauliflower seeds indoors in Massachusetts?
Start seeds indoors between March 6 and March 20, about 6 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 3.
Can I plant cauliflower in the fall in Massachusetts?
Yes. For a fall crop, start transplants between July 5 and July 22, so the crop matures in cool weather before Massachusetts's first frost around October 14.
When will cauliflower planted in Massachusetts be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, cauliflower is usually ready from about June 9 to July 9, 60-90 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in Massachusetts?
On average around April 24, with the first fall frost around October 14 - about 173 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.