When to plant cauliflower in New Jersey
New Jersey’s average last spring frost is April 20, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 15 — about 178 frost-free days (USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b). Cauliflower needs 60–90 days to mature, which fits comfortably within New Jersey's growing season.
When to plant cauliflower in New Jersey: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Mar 30 – Apr 16, with seeds started indoors Mar 2 – Mar 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 New Jersey, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 2 – Mar 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 (Mar 30 – Apr 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 New Jersey.
- 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 5 – Jul 5). 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 New Jersey’s average frost dates. More in the full cauliflower growing guide.
Cauliflower planting dates by USDA zone in New Jersey
New Jersey spans USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey (this page) | 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 |
| District of Columbia | April 10 | Mar 20 – Apr 6 |
| Virginia | April 15 | Mar 25 – Apr 11 |
| West Virginia | May 5 | Apr 14 – May 1 |
Questions gardeners in New Jersey ask
When is the best time to plant cauliflower in New Jersey?
Plant cauliflower transplants outdoors in New Jersey between March 30 and April 16. That timing is set by New Jersey's average last spring frost of April 20.
When should I start cauliflower seeds indoors in New Jersey?
Start seeds indoors between March 2 and March 16, about 6 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from March 30.
Can I plant cauliflower in the fall in New Jersey?
Yes. For a fall crop, start transplants between July 6 and July 23, so the crop matures in cool weather before New Jersey's first frost around October 15.
When will cauliflower planted in New Jersey be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, cauliflower is usually ready from about June 5 to July 5, 60-90 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in New Jersey?
On average around April 20, with the first fall frost around October 15 - about 178 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.