FrostCal

When to Plant Cauliflower in District of Columbia

In a typical District of Columbia location, start seeds indoors Feb 8 – Feb 22, then transplant outdoors Mar 15 – Mar 22. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 10 in Washington and as late as Mar 26 in Chevy Chase. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 30 – Sep 6.

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
WashingtonFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 10 – Mar 17Sep 9 – Sep 16
Downtown DCFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 30 – Sep 6
Columbia HeightsFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 30 – Sep 6
Mount PleasantFeb 19 – Mar 5Mar 26 – Apr 2Aug 22 – Aug 29
Central 14th Street / Spring RoadFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 30 – Sep 6
Northwest OneFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 30 – Sep 6
Foggy BottomFeb 19 – Mar 5Mar 26 – Apr 2Aug 22 – Aug 29
Mount Vernon TriangleFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 30 – Sep 6
H Street NEFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 30 – Sep 6
Pleasant PlainsFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 30 – Sep 6
NoMaFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 30 – Sep 6
PetworthFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 30 – Sep 6
Capitol RiverfrontFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 10 – Mar 17Sep 9 – Sep 16
Park ViewFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 30 – Sep 6
Golden TriangleFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 10 – Mar 17Sep 9 – Sep 16
ShawFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 30 – Sep 6
BrightwoodFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 30 – Sep 6
Adams MorganFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 30 – Sep 6
Kennedy StreetFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 30 – Sep 6
Southwest WaterfrontFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 10 – Mar 17Sep 9 – Sep 16
Barracks RowFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 30 – Sep 6
Union MarketFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 30 – Sep 6
AnacostiaFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 10 – Mar 17Sep 9 – Sep 16
Colorado TriangleFeb 19 – Mar 5Mar 26 – Apr 2Aug 22 – Aug 29
Brentwood VillageFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 30 – Sep 6
The WharfFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 10 – Mar 17Sep 9 – Sep 16
Central 14th Street / WMATA Northern Bus BarnFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 30 – Sep 6
Van NessFeb 19 – Mar 5Mar 26 – Apr 2Aug 22 – Aug 29
Benning RoadFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 30 – Sep 6
HillcrestFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 30 – Sep 6

Showing the 30 most populous of 35 District of Columbia cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all District of Columbia cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cauliflower in District of Columbia?

In a typical District of Columbia location, start seeds indoors Feb 8 – Feb 22, then transplant outdoors Mar 15 – Mar 22. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 10 in Washington and as late as Mar 26 in Chevy Chase. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 30 – Sep 6.

When is the last frost in District of Columbia?

The average last spring frost in District of Columbia ranges from March 24 in Washington to April 9 in Chevy Chase, 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 District of Columbia

When to plant cauliflower in other states

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