FrostCal

When to Plant Cauliflower in Pennsylvania

In a typical Pennsylvania location, start seeds indoors Mar 2 – Mar 16, then transplant outdoors Apr 6 – Apr 13. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 16 in Philadelphia and as late as May 1 in Hermitage. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 16 – Aug 23.

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
PhiladelphiaFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 16 – Mar 23Sep 8 – Sep 15
PittsburghMar 6 – Mar 20Apr 10 – Apr 17Aug 18 – Aug 25
AllentownMar 2 – Mar 16Apr 6 – Apr 13Aug 15 – Aug 22
ErieMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 12 – Apr 19Aug 26 – Sep 2
ReadingFeb 24 – Mar 10Mar 31 – Apr 7Aug 20 – Aug 27
ScrantonMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 9 – Apr 16Aug 11 – Aug 18
BethlehemMar 2 – Mar 16Apr 6 – Apr 13Aug 15 – Aug 22
BensalemMar 3 – Mar 17Apr 7 – Apr 14Aug 16 – Aug 23
LancasterMar 1 – Mar 15Apr 5 – Apr 12Aug 15 – Aug 22
AbingtonFeb 21 – Mar 7Mar 28 – Apr 4Aug 23 – Aug 30
LevittownMar 3 – Mar 17Apr 7 – Apr 14Aug 16 – Aug 23
HavertownFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 16 – Mar 23Sep 8 – Sep 15
HarrisburgFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 1 – Apr 8Aug 14 – Aug 21
AltoonaMar 7 – Mar 21Apr 11 – Apr 18Aug 12 – Aug 19
YorkMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 12 – Apr 19Aug 10 – Aug 17
State CollegeMar 2 – Mar 16Apr 6 – Apr 13Aug 17 – Aug 24
Wilkes-BarreMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 9 – Apr 16Aug 11 – Aug 18
NorristownFeb 18 – Mar 4Mar 25 – Apr 1Aug 22 – Aug 29
ChesterFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 16 – Mar 23Sep 7 – Sep 14
Mount LebanonFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 4 – Apr 11Aug 19 – Aug 26
Bethel ParkFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 4 – Apr 11Aug 19 – Aug 26
WayneFeb 18 – Mar 4Mar 25 – Apr 1Aug 22 – Aug 29
RadnorFeb 18 – Mar 4Mar 25 – Apr 1Aug 22 – Aug 29
WilliamsportMar 7 – Mar 21Apr 11 – Apr 18Aug 15 – Aug 22
MonroevilleMar 4 – Mar 18Apr 8 – Apr 15Aug 16 – Aug 23
Cranberry TownshipFeb 18 – Mar 4Mar 25 – Apr 1Aug 30 – Sep 6
Drexel HillFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 19 – Mar 26Sep 1 – Sep 8
PlumFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 2 – Apr 9Aug 23 – Aug 30
Back MountainMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 9 – Apr 16Aug 11 – Aug 18
EastonFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 4 – Apr 11Aug 16 – Aug 23

Showing the 30 most populous of 121 Pennsylvania cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Pennsylvania cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cauliflower in Pennsylvania?

In a typical Pennsylvania location, start seeds indoors Mar 2 – Mar 16, then transplant outdoors Apr 6 – Apr 13. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 16 in Philadelphia and as late as May 1 in Hermitage. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 16 – Aug 23.

When is the last frost in Pennsylvania?

The average last spring frost in Pennsylvania ranges from March 30 in Philadelphia to May 15 in Hermitage, 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 Pennsylvania

When to plant cauliflower in other states

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