When to plant cauliflower in Minneapolis

Cauliflower is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Minneapolis's frost dates of Apr 21.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 10 – Mar 31
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 20 – May 11
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 19 – Jul 14
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jun 18 – Jul 2
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Aug 24 – Sep 18
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
Minneapolis's 180-day season leaves this much room.
Cauliflower on Minneapolis'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
APR 21
OCT 13

Common questions

When will cauliflower be ready to harvest in Minneapolis?

Expect to harvest from around mid June (Jun 19–Jul 14) in Minneapolis, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.

When should I start cauliflower seeds indoors in Minneapolis?

Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 10–Mar 31) in Minneapolis, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.

When can I transplant cauliflower outdoors in Minneapolis?

Transplant outdoors around mid April (Apr 20–May 11) in Minneapolis, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.

Can I plant cauliflower in autumn in Minneapolis?

Yes — Minneapolis supports a second, autumn sowing of cauliflower around mid June (Jun 18–Jul 2), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Minneapolis?

Minneapolis has roughly 180 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 Minneapolis's frost dates.

Confidence 87/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.