FrostCal

When to Plant Cauliflower in Kentucky

In a typical Kentucky location, start seeds indoors Feb 22 – Mar 8, then transplant outdoors Mar 29 – Apr 5. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 17 in Louisville and as late as Apr 17 in Shelbyville. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 19 – Aug 26.

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
LouisvilleFeb 10 – Feb 24Mar 17 – Mar 24Aug 31 – Sep 7
LexingtonFeb 23 – Mar 9Mar 30 – Apr 6Aug 19 – Aug 26
Lexington-FayetteFeb 23 – Mar 9Mar 30 – Apr 6Aug 19 – Aug 26
MeadsMar 4 – Mar 18Apr 8 – Apr 15Aug 14 – Aug 21
Bowling GreenFeb 15 – Mar 1Mar 22 – Mar 29Aug 22 – Aug 29
OwensboroFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 20 – Mar 27Aug 24 – Aug 31
CovingtonFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 2 – Apr 9Aug 16 – Aug 23
RichmondFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 1 – Apr 8Aug 13 – Aug 20
GeorgetownFeb 23 – Mar 9Mar 30 – Apr 6Aug 19 – Aug 26
FlorenceFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 4 – Apr 11Aug 16 – Aug 23
HopkinsvilleFeb 14 – Feb 28Mar 21 – Mar 28Aug 24 – Aug 31
NicholasvilleFeb 17 – Mar 3Mar 24 – Mar 31Aug 23 – Aug 30
ElizabethtownFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 2 – Apr 9Aug 16 – Aug 23
HendersonFeb 19 – Mar 5Mar 26 – Apr 2Aug 17 – Aug 24
FrankfortFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 1 – Apr 8Aug 15 – Aug 22
JeffersontownFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 20 – Mar 27Aug 25 – Sep 1
IndependenceFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 4 – Apr 11Aug 16 – Aug 23
PaducahFeb 16 – Mar 2Mar 23 – Mar 30Aug 18 – Aug 25
Valley StationFeb 10 – Feb 24Mar 17 – Mar 24Aug 29 – Sep 5
RadcliffFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 2 – Apr 9Aug 16 – Aug 23
AshlandMar 4 – Mar 18Apr 8 – Apr 15Aug 14 – Aug 21
NewburgFeb 16 – Mar 2Mar 23 – Mar 30Aug 23 – Aug 30
MadisonvilleFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 19 – Mar 26Aug 23 – Aug 30
MurrayFeb 15 – Mar 1Mar 22 – Mar 29Aug 23 – Aug 30
ErlangerFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 4 – Apr 11Aug 16 – Aug 23
WinchesterMar 2 – Mar 16Apr 6 – Apr 13Aug 10 – Aug 17
Fern CreekFeb 16 – Mar 2Mar 23 – Mar 30Aug 23 – Aug 30
Saint MatthewsFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 20 – Mar 27Aug 25 – Sep 1
OkolonaFeb 16 – Mar 2Mar 23 – Mar 30Aug 23 – Aug 30
DanvilleFeb 19 – Mar 5Mar 26 – Apr 2Aug 18 – Aug 25

Showing the 30 most populous of 52 Kentucky cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Kentucky cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cauliflower in Kentucky?

In a typical Kentucky location, start seeds indoors Feb 22 – Mar 8, then transplant outdoors Mar 29 – Apr 5. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 17 in Louisville and as late as Apr 17 in Shelbyville. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 19 – Aug 26.

When is the last frost in Kentucky?

The average last spring frost in Kentucky ranges from March 31 in Louisville to May 1 in Shelbyville, 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 Kentucky

When to plant cauliflower in other states

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