FrostCal

When to Plant Cauliflower in Washington

In a typical Washington location, start seeds indoors Feb 3 – Feb 17, then transplant outdoors Mar 10 – Mar 17. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 15 in Port Townsend and as late as May 16 in Cheney. For a fall crop, plant around Sep 1 – Sep 8.

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
SeattleJan 23 – Feb 6Feb 27 – Mar 6Sep 8 – Sep 15
Tri-CitiesMar 9 – Mar 23Apr 13 – Apr 20Aug 2 – Aug 9
SpokaneMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 12 – Apr 19Aug 6 – Aug 13
TacomaJan 18 – Feb 1Feb 22 – Mar 1Sep 5 – Sep 12
VancouverFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 31 – Sep 7
BellevueJan 18 – Feb 1Feb 22 – Mar 1Sep 14 – Sep 21
KentJan 30 – Feb 13Mar 6 – Mar 13Sep 1 – Sep 8
EverettFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 10 – Mar 17Aug 24 – Aug 31
RentonJan 23 – Feb 6Feb 27 – Mar 6Sep 7 – Sep 14
Federal WayJan 18 – Feb 1Feb 22 – Mar 1Sep 5 – Sep 12
Spokane ValleyMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 12 – Apr 19Aug 6 – Aug 13
YakimaMar 20 – Apr 3Apr 24 – May 1Jul 26 – Aug 2
KirklandJan 18 – Feb 1Feb 22 – Mar 1Sep 14 – Sep 21
BellinghamFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 18 – Mar 25Aug 24 – Aug 31
KennewickFeb 7 – Feb 21Mar 14 – Mar 21Aug 21 – Aug 28
AuburnJan 30 – Feb 13Mar 6 – Mar 13Sep 1 – Sep 8
PascoFeb 7 – Feb 21Mar 14 – Mar 21Aug 21 – Aug 28
MarysvilleFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 10 – Mar 17Aug 24 – Aug 31
RedmondJan 18 – Feb 1Feb 22 – Mar 1Sep 14 – Sep 21
LakewoodJan 21 – Feb 4Feb 25 – Mar 4Sep 12 – Sep 19
OlympiaMar 11 – Mar 25Apr 15 – Apr 22Aug 5 – Aug 12
ShorelineJan 18 – Feb 1Feb 22 – Mar 1Sep 14 – Sep 21
RichlandFeb 16 – Mar 2Mar 23 – Mar 30Aug 15 – Aug 22
South HillFeb 21 – Mar 7Mar 28 – Apr 4Aug 21 – Aug 28
SammamishJan 18 – Feb 1Feb 22 – Mar 1Sep 14 – Sep 21
BurienJan 12 – Jan 26Feb 16 – Feb 23Sep 14 – Sep 21
LaceyMar 11 – Mar 25Apr 15 – Apr 22Aug 5 – Aug 12
City of SammamishFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 16 – Mar 23Aug 29 – Sep 5
BothellJan 18 – Feb 1Feb 22 – Mar 1Sep 14 – Sep 21
EdmondsJan 19 – Feb 2Feb 23 – Mar 2Sep 8 – Sep 15

Showing the 30 most populous of 133 Washington cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Washington cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cauliflower in Washington?

In a typical Washington location, start seeds indoors Feb 3 – Feb 17, then transplant outdoors Mar 10 – Mar 17. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 15 in Port Townsend and as late as May 16 in Cheney. For a fall crop, plant around Sep 1 – Sep 8.

When is the last frost in Washington?

The average last spring frost in Washington ranges from March 1 in Port Townsend to May 30 in Cheney, 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 Washington

When to plant cauliflower in other states

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