FrostCal

When to Plant Cauliflower in Wisconsin

In a typical Wisconsin location, start seeds indoors Mar 12 – Mar 26, then transplant outdoors Apr 16 – Apr 23. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 5 in Kenosha and as late as Apr 27 in Merrill. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 4 – Aug 11.

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
MilwaukeeMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 12 – Apr 19Aug 13 – Aug 20
MadisonMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 17 – Apr 24Jul 31 – Aug 7
Green BayMar 19 – Apr 2Apr 23 – Apr 30Jul 31 – Aug 7
KenoshaMar 1 – Mar 15Apr 5 – Apr 12Aug 17 – Aug 24
RacineMar 2 – Mar 16Apr 6 – Apr 13Aug 15 – Aug 22
AppletonMar 16 – Mar 30Apr 20 – Apr 27Jul 28 – Aug 4
WaukeshaMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 17 – Apr 24Aug 4 – Aug 11
Eau ClaireMar 6 – Mar 20Apr 10 – Apr 17Aug 5 – Aug 12
OshkoshMar 6 – Mar 20Apr 10 – Apr 17Aug 11 – Aug 18
JanesvilleMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 12 – Apr 19Aug 6 – Aug 13
West AllisMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 12 – Apr 19Aug 13 – Aug 20
La CrosseMar 9 – Mar 23Apr 13 – Apr 20Aug 4 – Aug 11
North La CrosseMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 9 – Apr 16Aug 8 – Aug 15
SheboyganMar 7 – Mar 21Apr 11 – Apr 18Aug 14 – Aug 21
WauwatosaMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 12 – Apr 19Aug 9 – Aug 16
Fond du LacMar 9 – Mar 23Apr 13 – Apr 20Aug 10 – Aug 17
New BerlinMar 15 – Mar 29Apr 19 – Apr 26Aug 5 – Aug 12
WausauMar 18 – Apr 1Apr 22 – Apr 29Jul 26 – Aug 2
BrookfieldMar 12 – Mar 26Apr 16 – Apr 23Aug 5 – Aug 12
GreenfieldMar 15 – Mar 29Apr 19 – Apr 26Aug 5 – Aug 12
BeloitMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 17 – Apr 24Aug 3 – Aug 10
FranklinMar 15 – Mar 29Apr 19 – Apr 26Aug 5 – Aug 12
Menomonee FallsMar 18 – Apr 1Apr 22 – Apr 29Jul 30 – Aug 6
Oak CreekMar 4 – Mar 18Apr 8 – Apr 15Aug 17 – Aug 24
ManitowocMar 12 – Mar 26Apr 16 – Apr 23Aug 11 – Aug 18
Sun PrairieMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 17 – Apr 24Aug 1 – Aug 8
West BendMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 17 – Apr 24Aug 3 – Aug 10
FitchburgMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 17 – Apr 24Jul 31 – Aug 7
Stevens PointMar 16 – Mar 30Apr 20 – Apr 27Jul 29 – Aug 5
SuperiorMar 18 – Apr 1Apr 22 – Apr 29Jul 31 – Aug 7

Showing the 30 most populous of 96 Wisconsin cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Wisconsin cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant cauliflower in Wisconsin?

In a typical Wisconsin location, start seeds indoors Mar 12 – Mar 26, then transplant outdoors Apr 16 – Apr 23. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 5 in Kenosha and as late as Apr 27 in Merrill. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 4 – Aug 11.

When is the last frost in Wisconsin?

The average last spring frost in Wisconsin ranges from April 19 in Kenosha to May 11 in Merrill, 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 Wisconsin

When to plant cauliflower in other states

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