FrostCal

When to Plant Cauliflower in Michigan

In a typical Michigan location, start seeds indoors Mar 12 – Mar 26, then transplant outdoors Apr 16 – Apr 23. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 5 in Port Huron and as late as May 5 in Cadillac. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 10 – Aug 17.

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
DetroitMar 3 – Mar 17Apr 7 – Apr 14Aug 22 – Aug 29
Grand RapidsMar 18 – Apr 1Apr 22 – Apr 29Aug 1 – Aug 8
WarrenMar 3 – Mar 17Apr 7 – Apr 14Aug 22 – Aug 29
Sterling HeightsMar 12 – Mar 26Apr 16 – Apr 23Aug 15 – Aug 22
Ann ArborMar 17 – Mar 31Apr 21 – Apr 28Aug 1 – Aug 8
LansingMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 17 – Apr 24Aug 4 – Aug 11
Clinton TownshipMar 12 – Mar 26Apr 16 – Apr 23Aug 15 – Aug 22
FlintMar 18 – Apr 1Apr 22 – Apr 29Aug 1 – Aug 8
DearbornMar 9 – Mar 23Apr 13 – Apr 20Aug 16 – Aug 23
LivoniaMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 17 – Apr 24Aug 6 – Aug 13
CantonMar 6 – Mar 20Apr 10 – Apr 17Aug 15 – Aug 22
TroyMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 12 – Apr 19Aug 13 – Aug 20
WestlandMar 2 – Mar 16Apr 6 – Apr 13Aug 18 – Aug 25
Farmington HillsMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 17 – Apr 24Aug 8 – Aug 15
KalamazooMar 10 – Mar 24Apr 14 – Apr 21Aug 9 – Aug 16
WaterfordMar 11 – Mar 25Apr 15 – Apr 22Aug 11 – Aug 18
WyomingMar 18 – Apr 1Apr 22 – Apr 29Aug 1 – Aug 8
ShelbyMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 12 – Apr 19Aug 13 – Aug 20
Rochester HillsMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 12 – Apr 19Aug 13 – Aug 20
SouthfieldMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 17 – Apr 24Aug 8 – Aug 15
West Bloomfield TownshipMar 11 – Mar 25Apr 15 – Apr 22Aug 11 – Aug 18
TaylorMar 2 – Mar 16Apr 6 – Apr 13Aug 18 – Aug 25
PontiacMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 12 – Apr 19Aug 13 – Aug 20
Saint Clair ShoresMar 11 – Mar 25Apr 15 – Apr 22Aug 13 – Aug 20
Royal OakMar 3 – Mar 17Apr 7 – Apr 14Aug 22 – Aug 29
NoviMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 17 – Apr 24Aug 8 – Aug 15
Dearborn HeightsMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 17 – Apr 24Aug 6 – Aug 13
Battle CreekMar 12 – Mar 26Apr 16 – Apr 23Aug 10 – Aug 17
KentwoodMar 18 – Apr 1Apr 22 – Apr 29Aug 1 – Aug 8
RedfordMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 17 – Apr 24Aug 6 – Aug 13

Showing the 30 most populous of 120 Michigan cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Michigan cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cauliflower in Michigan?

In a typical Michigan location, start seeds indoors Mar 12 – Mar 26, then transplant outdoors Apr 16 – Apr 23. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 5 in Port Huron and as late as May 5 in Cadillac. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 10 – Aug 17.

When is the last frost in Michigan?

The average last spring frost in Michigan ranges from April 19 in Port Huron to May 19 in Cadillac, 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 Michigan

When to plant cauliflower in other states

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