FrostCal

When to Plant Cauliflower in Iowa

In a typical Iowa location, start seeds indoors Mar 3 – Mar 17, then transplant outdoors Apr 7 – Apr 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 27 in Keokuk and as late as Apr 19 in Grinnell. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 8 – Aug 15.

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
Des MoinesFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 4 – Apr 11Aug 11 – Aug 18
Cedar RapidsMar 10 – Mar 24Apr 14 – Apr 21Aug 3 – Aug 10
DavenportMar 1 – Mar 15Apr 5 – Apr 12Aug 13 – Aug 20
Sioux CityMar 11 – Mar 25Apr 15 – Apr 22Jul 29 – Aug 5
Iowa CityMar 3 – Mar 17Apr 7 – Apr 14Aug 9 – Aug 16
WaterlooMar 9 – Mar 23Apr 13 – Apr 20Aug 1 – Aug 8
AmesMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 12 – Apr 19Jul 30 – Aug 6
West Des MoinesFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 4 – Apr 11Aug 11 – Aug 18
Council BluffsFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 4 – Apr 11Aug 12 – Aug 19
DubuqueMar 1 – Mar 15Apr 5 – Apr 12Aug 12 – Aug 19
AnkenyMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 9 – Apr 16Aug 6 – Aug 13
UrbandaleFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 4 – Apr 11Aug 11 – Aug 18
Cedar FallsMar 9 – Mar 23Apr 13 – Apr 20Aug 1 – Aug 8
MarionMar 10 – Mar 24Apr 14 – Apr 21Aug 3 – Aug 10
BettendorfMar 1 – Mar 15Apr 5 – Apr 12Aug 13 – Aug 20
MarshalltownMar 10 – Mar 24Apr 14 – Apr 21Jul 29 – Aug 5
Mason CityMar 11 – Mar 25Apr 15 – Apr 22Jul 29 – Aug 5
ClintonFeb 23 – Mar 9Mar 30 – Apr 6Aug 17 – Aug 24
BurlingtonFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 1 – Apr 8Aug 11 – Aug 18
Fort DodgeMar 10 – Mar 24Apr 14 – Apr 21Jul 30 – Aug 6
OttumwaMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 9 – Apr 16Aug 5 – Aug 12
MuscatineFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 4 – Apr 11Aug 15 – Aug 22
JohnstonMar 1 – Mar 15Apr 5 – Apr 12Aug 9 – Aug 16
CoralvilleMar 3 – Mar 17Apr 7 – Apr 14Aug 9 – Aug 16
WaukeeMar 1 – Mar 15Apr 5 – Apr 12Aug 9 – Aug 16
AltoonaMar 3 – Mar 17Apr 7 – Apr 14Aug 6 – Aug 13
North LibertyMar 3 – Mar 17Apr 7 – Apr 14Aug 9 – Aug 16
IndianolaMar 6 – Mar 20Apr 10 – Apr 17Aug 3 – Aug 10
CliveFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 4 – Apr 11Aug 11 – Aug 18
NewtonMar 4 – Mar 18Apr 8 – Apr 15Aug 8 – Aug 15

Showing the 30 most populous of 45 Iowa cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Iowa cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cauliflower in Iowa?

In a typical Iowa location, start seeds indoors Mar 3 – Mar 17, then transplant outdoors Apr 7 – Apr 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 27 in Keokuk and as late as Apr 19 in Grinnell. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 8 – Aug 15.

When is the last frost in Iowa?

The average last spring frost in Iowa ranges from April 10 in Keokuk to May 3 in Grinnell, 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 Iowa

When to plant cauliflower in other states

Related Guides