When to plant cauliflower in West Virginia
West Virginia’s average last spring frost is May 5, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 5 — about 153 frost-free days (USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a). Cauliflower needs 60–90 days to mature, which fits comfortably within West Virginia's growing season.
When to plant cauliflower in West Virginia: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 14 – May 1, with seeds started indoors Mar 17 – Mar 31. 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 West Virginia, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 17 – Mar 31). 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 14 – May 1). 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 West Virginia.
- 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 20 – Jul 20). 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 West Virginia’s average frost dates. More in the full cauliflower growing guide.
Cauliflower planting dates by USDA zone in West Virginia
West Virginia spans USDA zones 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 |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia (this page) | May 5 | Apr 14 – May 1 |
| 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 |
| District of Columbia | April 10 | Mar 20 – Apr 6 |
| Virginia | April 15 | Mar 25 – Apr 11 |
Questions gardeners in West Virginia ask
When is the best time to plant cauliflower in West Virginia?
Plant cauliflower transplants outdoors in West Virginia between April 14 and May 1. That timing is set by West Virginia's average last spring frost of May 5.
When should I start cauliflower seeds indoors in West Virginia?
Start seeds indoors between March 17 and March 31, about 6 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 14.
Can I plant cauliflower in the fall in West Virginia?
Yes. For a fall crop, start transplants between June 26 and July 13, so the crop matures in cool weather before West Virginia's first frost around October 5.
When will cauliflower planted in West Virginia be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, cauliflower is usually ready from about June 20 to July 20, 60-90 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in West Virginia?
On average around May 5, with the first fall frost around October 5 - about 153 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.