FrostCal

When to Plant Cauliflower in North Carolina

In a typical North Carolina location, start seeds indoors Feb 10 – Feb 24, then transplant outdoors Mar 17 – Mar 24. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 4 in Morehead City and as late as Apr 18 in Boone. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 27 – Sep 3.

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
CharlotteFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 16 – Mar 23Aug 25 – Sep 1
RaleighFeb 7 – Feb 21Mar 14 – Mar 21Aug 30 – Sep 6
GreensboroFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 18 – Mar 25Aug 26 – Sep 2
DurhamFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 19 – Mar 26Aug 26 – Sep 2
Winston-SalemFeb 5 – Feb 19Mar 12 – Mar 19Aug 31 – Sep 7
FayettevilleFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 16 – Mar 23Sep 1 – Sep 8
CaryFeb 7 – Feb 21Mar 14 – Mar 21Aug 30 – Sep 6
WilmingtonJan 29 – Feb 12Mar 5 – Mar 12Sep 11 – Sep 18
High PointFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 16 – Mar 23Aug 27 – Sep 3
AshevilleFeb 16 – Mar 2Mar 23 – Mar 30Aug 22 – Aug 29
GreenvilleFeb 6 – Feb 20Mar 13 – Mar 20Aug 30 – Sep 6
ConcordFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 18 – Mar 25Aug 24 – Aug 31
GastoniaFeb 6 – Feb 20Mar 13 – Mar 20Aug 31 – Sep 7
JacksonvilleFeb 10 – Feb 24Mar 17 – Mar 24Aug 30 – Sep 6
Chapel HillFeb 10 – Feb 24Mar 17 – Mar 24Aug 25 – Sep 1
Rocky MountFeb 10 – Feb 24Mar 17 – Mar 24Aug 29 – Sep 5
HuntersvilleFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 16 – Mar 23Aug 25 – Sep 1
BurlingtonFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 31 – Sep 7
WilsonFeb 1 – Feb 15Mar 8 – Mar 15Sep 3 – Sep 10
KannapolisFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 18 – Mar 25Aug 24 – Aug 31
ApexFeb 6 – Feb 20Mar 13 – Mar 20Aug 30 – Sep 6
HickoryFeb 10 – Feb 24Mar 17 – Mar 24Aug 26 – Sep 2
Wake ForestFeb 14 – Feb 28Mar 21 – Mar 28Aug 26 – Sep 2
Indian TrailFeb 10 – Feb 24Mar 17 – Mar 24Aug 27 – Sep 3
MooresvilleFeb 19 – Mar 5Mar 26 – Apr 2Aug 19 – Aug 26
GoldsboroFeb 7 – Feb 21Mar 14 – Mar 21Sep 3 – Sep 10
MonroeFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 20 – Mar 27Aug 23 – Aug 30
SalisburyFeb 16 – Mar 2Mar 23 – Mar 30Aug 21 – Aug 28
Holly SpringsFeb 16 – Mar 2Mar 23 – Mar 30Aug 25 – Sep 1
MatthewsFeb 10 – Feb 24Mar 17 – Mar 24Aug 27 – Sep 3

Showing the 30 most populous of 95 North Carolina cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all North Carolina cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cauliflower in North Carolina?

In a typical North Carolina location, start seeds indoors Feb 10 – Feb 24, then transplant outdoors Mar 17 – Mar 24. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 4 in Morehead City and as late as Apr 18 in Boone. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 27 – Sep 3.

When is the last frost in North Carolina?

The average last spring frost in North Carolina ranges from March 18 in Morehead City to May 2 in Boone, 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 North Carolina

When to plant cauliflower in other states

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