When to plant cauliflower in Charlotte

Cauliflower is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Charlotte's frost dates of Mar 30.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 16 – Mar 9
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 16 – Apr 6
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 15 – Jun 9
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 5 – Jul 19
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 10 – Oct 5
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
Charlotte's 216-day season leaves this much room.
Cauliflower on Charlotte's growing year
Frost-bounded season with crops mapped onto the 12-month axis.
Frost risk Growing Harvest
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
MAR 30
NOV 3

Common questions

When will cauliflower be ready to harvest in Charlotte?

Expect to harvest from around mid May (May 15–Jun 9) in Charlotte, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When should I start cauliflower seeds indoors in Charlotte?

Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 16–Mar 9) in Charlotte, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When can I transplant cauliflower outdoors in Charlotte?

Transplant outdoors around mid March (Mar 16–Apr 6) in Charlotte, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.

Can I plant cauliflower in autumn in Charlotte?

Yes — Charlotte supports a second, autumn sowing of cauliflower around early July (Jul 5–Jul 19), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Charlotte?

Charlotte has roughly 216 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow cauliflower to maturity outdoors.

The rule of thumb

Sow cauliflower as soon as the soil is workable — it tolerates cool weather and light frost. Every date on this page is derived from that rule and Charlotte's frost dates.

Confidence 89/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.