FrostCal

When to Plant Cauliflower in Tennessee

In a typical Tennessee location, start seeds indoors Feb 16 – Mar 2, then transplant outdoors Mar 23 – Mar 30. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 2 in New South Memphis and as late as Apr 7 in Bristol. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 21 – Aug 28.

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
NashvilleFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 18 – Mar 25Aug 22 – Aug 29
New South MemphisJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 2 – Mar 9Sep 7 – Sep 14
MemphisJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 2 – Mar 9Sep 7 – Sep 14
KnoxvilleFeb 21 – Mar 7Mar 28 – Apr 4Aug 19 – Aug 26
ChattanoogaFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 10 – Mar 17Aug 31 – Sep 7
ClarksvilleFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 20 – Mar 27Aug 23 – Aug 30
MurfreesboroFeb 19 – Mar 5Mar 26 – Apr 2Aug 18 – Aug 25
East ChattanoogaFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 10 – Mar 17Aug 31 – Sep 7
FranklinFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 20 – Mar 27Aug 22 – Aug 29
CordovaFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 27 – Sep 3
JacksonFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 19 – Mar 26Aug 20 – Aug 27
Johnson CityMar 1 – Mar 15Apr 5 – Apr 12Aug 15 – Aug 22
BartlettFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 27 – Sep 3
HendersonvilleFeb 21 – Mar 7Mar 28 – Apr 4Aug 20 – Aug 27
KingsportFeb 19 – Mar 5Mar 26 – Apr 2Aug 20 – Aug 27
ColliervilleFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 25 – Sep 1
SmyrnaFeb 23 – Mar 9Mar 30 – Apr 6Aug 12 – Aug 19
ClevelandFeb 16 – Mar 2Mar 23 – Mar 30Aug 21 – Aug 28
BrentwoodFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 1 – Apr 8Aug 17 – Aug 24
GermantownFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 27 – Sep 3
HermitageFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 18 – Mar 25Aug 26 – Sep 2
ColumbiaFeb 20 – Mar 6Mar 27 – Apr 3Aug 18 – Aug 25
Spring HillFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 20 – Mar 27Aug 23 – Aug 30
La VergneFeb 23 – Mar 9Mar 30 – Apr 6Aug 12 – Aug 19
GallatinFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 2 – Apr 9Aug 14 – Aug 21
CookevilleFeb 24 – Mar 10Mar 31 – Apr 7Aug 16 – Aug 23
Mount JulietFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 18 – Mar 25Aug 26 – Sep 2
LebanonFeb 16 – Mar 2Mar 23 – Mar 30Aug 19 – Aug 26
MorristownFeb 20 – Mar 6Mar 27 – Apr 3Aug 19 – Aug 26
Oak RidgeFeb 15 – Mar 1Mar 22 – Mar 29Aug 23 – Aug 30

Showing the 30 most populous of 70 Tennessee cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Tennessee cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cauliflower in Tennessee?

In a typical Tennessee location, start seeds indoors Feb 16 – Mar 2, then transplant outdoors Mar 23 – Mar 30. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 2 in New South Memphis and as late as Apr 7 in Bristol. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 21 – Aug 28.

When is the last frost in Tennessee?

The average last spring frost in Tennessee ranges from March 16 in New South Memphis to April 21 in Bristol, 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 Tennessee

When to plant cauliflower in other states

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