FrostCal

When to Plant Cauliflower in Montana

In a typical Montana location, start seeds indoors Mar 26 – Apr 9, then transplant outdoors Apr 30 – May 7. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 21 in Laurel and as late as May 30 in Butte. For a fall crop, plant around Jul 20 – Jul 27.

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
BillingsMar 22 – Apr 5Apr 26 – May 3Jul 23 – Jul 30
MissoulaMar 22 – Apr 5Apr 26 – May 3Jul 23 – Jul 30
Great FallsMar 18 – Apr 1Apr 22 – Apr 29Jul 23 – Jul 30
BozemanApr 7 – Apr 21May 12 – May 19Jul 14 – Jul 21
ButteApr 25 – May 9May 30 – Jun 6Jun 27 – Jul 4
HelenaMar 21 – Apr 4Apr 25 – May 2Jul 22 – Jul 29
KalispellApr 12 – Apr 26May 17 – May 24Jul 2 – Jul 9
HavreMar 27 – Apr 10May 1 – May 8Jul 15 – Jul 22
AnacondaApr 13 – Apr 27May 18 – May 25Jul 6 – Jul 13
Miles CityMar 20 – Apr 3Apr 24 – May 1Jul 22 – Jul 29
Helena Valley SoutheastMar 21 – Apr 4Apr 25 – May 2Jul 22 – Jul 29
BelgradeApr 7 – Apr 21May 12 – May 19Jul 8 – Jul 15
Helena Valley West CentralMar 21 – Apr 4Apr 25 – May 2Jul 22 – Jul 29
EvergreenApr 12 – Apr 26May 17 – May 24Jul 2 – Jul 9
LivingstonApr 8 – Apr 22May 13 – May 20Jul 6 – Jul 13
WhitefishMar 28 – Apr 11May 2 – May 9Jul 17 – Jul 24
LaurelMar 17 – Mar 31Apr 21 – Apr 28Jul 25 – Aug 1
SidneyMar 23 – Apr 6Apr 27 – May 4Jul 19 – Jul 26
LockwoodMar 22 – Apr 5Apr 26 – May 3Jul 23 – Jul 30
LewistownMar 26 – Apr 9Apr 30 – May 7Jul 20 – Jul 27

Showing the 20 most populous of 20 Montana cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Montana cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cauliflower in Montana?

In a typical Montana location, start seeds indoors Mar 26 – Apr 9, then transplant outdoors Apr 30 – May 7. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 21 in Laurel and as late as May 30 in Butte. For a fall crop, plant around Jul 20 – Jul 27.

When is the last frost in Montana?

The average last spring frost in Montana ranges from May 5 in Laurel to June 13 in Butte, 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 Montana

When to plant cauliflower in other states

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