When to plant cauliflower in Durham
Cauliflower is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Durham's frost dates of Apr 2.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 19 – Mar 12
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 19 – Apr 9
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 18 – Jun 12
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 12 – Jul 26
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 17 – Oct 12
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
Durham's 218-day season leaves this much room.
Cauliflower on Durham'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
FROST
FROST
APR 2
NOV 1
Common questions
When will cauliflower be ready to harvest in Durham?
Expect to harvest from around mid May (May 18–Jun 12) in Durham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.
When should I start cauliflower seeds indoors in Durham?
Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 19–Mar 12) in Durham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When can I transplant cauliflower outdoors in Durham?
Transplant outdoors around mid March (Mar 19–Apr 9) in Durham, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.
Can I plant cauliflower in autumn in Durham?
Yes — Durham supports a second, autumn sowing of cauliflower around mid July (Jul 12–Jul 26), timed to mature before the first fall frost.
How long is the growing season in Durham?
Durham has roughly 218 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 Durham's frost dates.
Confidence 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.