FrostCal

When to Plant Cauliflower in California

In a typical California location, start seeds indoors Nov 28 – Dec 12, then transplant outdoors Jan 2 – Jan 9. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Dec 15 in San Mateo and as late as May 13 in Big Bear City. For a fall crop, plant around Oct 9 – Oct 16. 103 cities in California are essentially frost-free and can plant on a year-round schedule.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 55–85 days

Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost.

Cauliflower Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplantFall planting
Los AngelesFrost-free: year-round planting
San DiegoFrost-free: year-round planting
San JoseNov 14 – Nov 28Dec 19 – Dec 26Oct 16 – Oct 23
San FranciscoFrost-free: year-round planting
FresnoNov 26 – Dec 10Dec 31 – Jan 7Oct 5 – Oct 12
SacramentoNov 24 – Dec 8Dec 29 – Jan 5Oct 7 – Oct 14
Long BeachFrost-free: year-round planting
OaklandFrost-free: year-round planting
BakersfieldDec 13 – Dec 27Jan 17 – Jan 24Sep 29 – Oct 6
AnaheimFrost-free: year-round planting
RiversideNov 21 – Dec 5Dec 26 – Jan 2Oct 16 – Oct 23
Santa AnaFrost-free: year-round planting
StocktonDec 18 – Jan 1Jan 22 – Jan 29Sep 29 – Oct 6
Chula VistaFrost-free: year-round planting
IrvineFrost-free: year-round planting
FremontNov 19 – Dec 3Dec 24 – Dec 31Oct 13 – Oct 20
San BernardinoDec 9 – Dec 23Jan 13 – Jan 20Oct 10 – Oct 17
FontanaNov 22 – Dec 6Dec 27 – Jan 3Oct 24 – Oct 31
ModestoDec 13 – Dec 27Jan 17 – Jan 24Sep 26 – Oct 3
OxnardFrost-free: year-round planting
Moreno ValleyDec 9 – Dec 23Jan 13 – Jan 20Oct 10 – Oct 17
Huntington BeachFrost-free: year-round planting
GlendaleNov 14 – Nov 28Dec 19 – Dec 26Oct 17 – Oct 24
Santa ClaritaNov 20 – Dec 4Dec 25 – Jan 1Oct 23 – Oct 30
Santa RosaJan 7 – Jan 21Feb 11 – Feb 18Sep 22 – Sep 29
OceansideFrost-free: year-round planting
Garden GroveFrost-free: year-round planting
Rancho CucamongaNov 16 – Nov 30Dec 21 – Dec 28Oct 21 – Oct 28
OntarioNov 16 – Nov 30Dec 21 – Dec 28Oct 21 – Oct 28
Elk GroveDec 15 – Dec 29Jan 19 – Jan 26Sep 23 – Sep 30

Showing the 30 most populous of 530 California cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all California cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cauliflower in California?

In a typical California location, start seeds indoors Nov 28 – Dec 12, then transplant outdoors Jan 2 – Jan 9. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Dec 15 in San Mateo and as late as May 13 in Big Bear City. For a fall crop, plant around Oct 9 – Oct 16. 103 cities in California are essentially frost-free and can plant on a year-round schedule.

When is the last frost in California?

The average last spring frost in California ranges from January 1 in Palm Springs to December 31 in Sunland, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do cauliflower take to grow?

Cauliflower typically take 55–85 days from planting to harvest. Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost.

Other Crops in California

When to plant cauliflower in other states

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