FrostCal

When to Plant Cauliflower in South Dakota

In a typical South Dakota location, start seeds indoors Mar 18 – Apr 1, then transplant outdoors Apr 22 – Apr 29. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 12 in Tea and as late as Apr 28 in Ellsworth Air Force Base. For a fall crop, plant around Jul 25 – Aug 1.

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
Sioux FallsMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 17 – Apr 24Jul 28 – Aug 4
Rapid CityMar 15 – Mar 29Apr 19 – Apr 26Jul 30 – Aug 6
AberdeenMar 20 – Apr 3Apr 24 – May 1Jul 21 – Jul 28
BrookingsMar 18 – Apr 1Apr 22 – Apr 29Jul 23 – Jul 30
WatertownMar 19 – Apr 2Apr 23 – Apr 30Jul 22 – Jul 29
MitchellMar 14 – Mar 28Apr 18 – Apr 25Jul 28 – Aug 4
YanktonMar 9 – Mar 23Apr 13 – Apr 20Aug 2 – Aug 9
PierreMar 18 – Apr 1Apr 22 – Apr 29Jul 25 – Aug 1
HuronMar 18 – Apr 1Apr 22 – Apr 29Jul 24 – Jul 31
SpearfishMar 24 – Apr 7Apr 28 – May 5Jul 24 – Jul 31
VermillionMar 15 – Mar 29Apr 19 – Apr 26Jul 25 – Aug 1
BrandonMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 17 – Apr 24Jul 28 – Aug 4
Box ElderMar 24 – Apr 7Apr 28 – May 5Jul 23 – Jul 30
Rapid ValleyMar 15 – Mar 29Apr 19 – Apr 26Jul 30 – Aug 6
Ellsworth Air Force BaseMar 24 – Apr 7Apr 28 – May 5Jul 23 – Jul 30
MadisonMar 17 – Mar 31Apr 21 – Apr 28Jul 22 – Jul 29
SturgisMar 20 – Apr 3Apr 24 – May 1Jul 25 – Aug 1
Belle FourcheMar 22 – Apr 5Apr 26 – May 3Jul 22 – Jul 29
HarrisburgMar 14 – Mar 28Apr 18 – Apr 25Jul 24 – Jul 31
TeaMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 12 – Apr 19Aug 4 – Aug 11

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

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cauliflower in South Dakota?

In a typical South Dakota location, start seeds indoors Mar 18 – Apr 1, then transplant outdoors Apr 22 – Apr 29. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 12 in Tea and as late as Apr 28 in Ellsworth Air Force Base. For a fall crop, plant around Jul 25 – Aug 1.

When is the last frost in South Dakota?

The average last spring frost in South Dakota ranges from April 26 in Tea to May 12 in Ellsworth Air Force Base, 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 South Dakota

When to plant cauliflower in other states

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