FrostCal

When to Plant Cauliflower in New York

In a typical New York location, start seeds indoors Feb 20 – Mar 6, then transplant outdoors Mar 27 – Apr 3. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 12 in Elmhurst and as late as May 3 in Corning. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 24 – Aug 31.

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
New York CityFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 16 – Mar 23Sep 11 – Sep 18
BrooklynFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 18 – Mar 25Sep 10 – Sep 17
QueensFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 19 – Mar 26Sep 5 – Sep 12
ManhattanFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 16 – Mar 23Sep 11 – Sep 18
The BronxFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 18 – Mar 25Sep 7 – Sep 14
Staten IslandFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 19 – Mar 26Sep 1 – Sep 8
BuffaloMar 6 – Mar 20Apr 10 – Apr 17Aug 17 – Aug 24
JamaicaFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 19 – Mar 26Sep 5 – Sep 12
RochesterMar 6 – Mar 20Apr 10 – Apr 17Aug 16 – Aug 23
YonkersMar 2 – Mar 16Apr 6 – Apr 13Aug 17 – Aug 24
AstoriaFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 16 – Mar 23Sep 11 – Sep 18
SyracuseMar 11 – Mar 25Apr 15 – Apr 22Aug 10 – Aug 17
AmherstMar 6 – Mar 20Apr 10 – Apr 17Aug 17 – Aug 24
ElmhurstFeb 5 – Feb 19Mar 12 – Mar 19Sep 16 – Sep 23
CoronaFeb 5 – Feb 19Mar 12 – Mar 19Sep 16 – Sep 23
AlbanyMar 9 – Mar 23Apr 13 – Apr 20Aug 6 – Aug 13
Richmond HillFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 19 – Mar 26Sep 5 – Sep 12
West AlbanyMar 9 – Mar 23Apr 13 – Apr 20Aug 6 – Aug 13
GreenburghMar 2 – Mar 16Apr 6 – Apr 13Aug 17 – Aug 24
New RochelleFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 18 – Mar 25Sep 7 – Sep 14
South Ozone ParkFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 19 – Mar 26Sep 5 – Sep 12
CheektowagaMar 6 – Mar 20Apr 10 – Apr 17Aug 17 – Aug 24
RidgewoodFeb 5 – Feb 19Mar 12 – Mar 19Sep 16 – Sep 23
Mount VernonFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 18 – Mar 25Sep 7 – Sep 14
Forest HillsFeb 5 – Feb 19Mar 12 – Mar 19Sep 16 – Sep 23
Jackson HeightsFeb 5 – Feb 19Mar 12 – Mar 19Sep 16 – Sep 23
BaysideFeb 5 – Feb 19Mar 12 – Mar 19Sep 16 – Sep 23
SchenectadyMar 9 – Mar 23Apr 13 – Apr 20Aug 6 – Aug 13
UticaMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 17 – Apr 24Aug 4 – Aug 11
BrentwoodFeb 20 – Mar 6Mar 27 – Apr 3Aug 24 – Aug 31

Showing the 30 most populous of 267 New York cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all New York cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cauliflower in New York?

In a typical New York location, start seeds indoors Feb 20 – Mar 6, then transplant outdoors Mar 27 – Apr 3. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 12 in Elmhurst and as late as May 3 in Corning. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 24 – Aug 31.

When is the last frost in New York?

The average last spring frost in New York ranges from March 26 in Elmhurst to May 17 in Corning, 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 New York

When to plant cauliflower in other states

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