FrostCal

When to Plant Cauliflower in Virginia

In a typical Virginia location, start seeds indoors Feb 21 – Mar 7, then transplant outdoors Mar 28 – Apr 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 2 in Newport News and as late as Apr 12 in Radford. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 20 – Aug 27.

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
Virginia BeachFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 22Sep 3 – Sep 10
NorfolkFeb 2 – Feb 16Mar 9 – Mar 16Sep 7 – Sep 14
ChesapeakeFeb 2 – Feb 16Mar 9 – Mar 16Sep 7 – Sep 14
RichmondFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 20 – Mar 27Aug 26 – Sep 2
ArlingtonFeb 19 – Mar 5Mar 26 – Apr 2Aug 22 – Aug 29
Newport NewsJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 2 – Mar 9Sep 17 – Sep 24
AlexandriaFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 20 – Mar 27Aug 30 – Sep 6
East HamptonFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 10 – Mar 17Sep 6 – Sep 13
HamptonFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 10 – Mar 17Sep 6 – Sep 13
RoanokeFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 20 – Mar 27Aug 23 – Aug 30
Portsmouth HeightsFeb 2 – Feb 16Mar 9 – Mar 16Sep 7 – Sep 14
PortsmouthFeb 2 – Feb 16Mar 9 – Mar 16Sep 7 – Sep 14
SuffolkFeb 6 – Feb 20Mar 13 – Mar 20Sep 6 – Sep 13
South SuffolkFeb 6 – Feb 20Mar 13 – Mar 20Sep 6 – Sep 13
LynchburgFeb 27 – Mar 13Apr 3 – Apr 10Aug 16 – Aug 23
CentrevilleFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 1 – Apr 8Aug 15 – Aug 22
Dale CityFeb 7 – Feb 21Mar 14 – Mar 21Aug 30 – Sep 6
West LynchburgFeb 27 – Mar 13Apr 3 – Apr 10Aug 16 – Aug 23
RestonFeb 24 – Mar 10Mar 31 – Apr 7Aug 20 – Aug 27
HarrisonburgMar 3 – Mar 17Apr 7 – Apr 14Aug 14 – Aug 21
LeesburgFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 2 – Apr 9Aug 16 – Aug 23
McLeanFeb 19 – Mar 5Mar 26 – Apr 2Aug 22 – Aug 29
CharlottesvilleFeb 15 – Mar 1Mar 22 – Mar 29Aug 26 – Sep 2
TuckahoeFeb 20 – Mar 6Mar 27 – Apr 3Aug 22 – Aug 29
BlacksburgMar 6 – Mar 20Apr 10 – Apr 17Aug 10 – Aug 17
AshburnFeb 23 – Mar 9Mar 30 – Apr 6Aug 17 – Aug 24
DanvilleFeb 18 – Mar 4Mar 25 – Apr 1Aug 23 – Aug 30
ManassasFeb 22 – Mar 8Mar 29 – Apr 5Aug 18 – Aug 25
Lake RidgeFeb 22 – Mar 8Mar 29 – Apr 5Aug 18 – Aug 25
BurkeFeb 24 – Mar 10Mar 31 – Apr 7Aug 20 – Aug 27

Showing the 30 most populous of 118 Virginia cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Virginia cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cauliflower in Virginia?

In a typical Virginia location, start seeds indoors Feb 21 – Mar 7, then transplant outdoors Mar 28 – Apr 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 2 in Newport News and as late as Apr 12 in Radford. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 20 – Aug 27.

When is the last frost in Virginia?

The average last spring frost in Virginia ranges from March 16 in Newport News to April 26 in Radford, 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 Virginia

When to plant cauliflower in other states

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