When to plant cauliflower in Washington

Cauliflower is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Washington's frost dates of Mar 24.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 10 – Mar 3
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 12 – Apr 2
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 11 – Jun 5
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 21 – Aug 4
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 26 – Oct 21
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
Washington's 234-day season leaves this much room.
Cauliflower on Washington'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 24
NOV 17

Common questions

When will cauliflower be ready to harvest in Washington?

Expect to harvest from around mid May (May 11–Jun 5) in Washington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When should I start cauliflower seeds indoors in Washington?

Start seeds indoors around early February (Feb 10–Mar 3) in Washington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When can I transplant cauliflower outdoors in Washington?

Transplant outdoors around mid March (Mar 12–Apr 2) in Washington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.

Can I plant cauliflower in autumn in Washington?

Yes — Washington supports a second, autumn sowing of cauliflower around late July (Jul 21–Aug 4), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Washington?

Washington has roughly 234 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 Washington's frost dates.

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