When to plant cauliflower in California
California spans USDA zones 6b–11a, so the right time to plant cauliflower shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about December 15 in San Mateo to May 26 in Truckee — below are local dates for 497 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 10b | January 2 | December 26 | December 19 – January 2 |
| San Diego | 10b | January 6 | December 21 | December 23 – January 6 |
| San Jose | 9b | January 2 | December 25 | December 19 – January 2 |
| San Francisco | 10a | December 30 | December 25 | December 16 – December 30 |
| Fresno | 9b | January 14 | December 14 | December 31 – January 14 |
| Sacramento | 9b | January 12 | December 16 | December 29 – January 12 |
| Long Beach | 10b | January 9 | January 5 | December 26 – January 9 |
| Oakland | 10a | January 7 | December 23 | December 24 – January 7 |
Cauliflower in California: FAQ
When can I plant cauliflower in California?
Across California, the time to transplant cauliflower spans roughly December 15 in San Mateo to May 26 in Truckee, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the cauliflower planting date vary across California?
Yes. California publishes 497 cities with their own frost dates, so the right cauliflower planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does cauliflower take to grow in California?
Cauliflower takes about 55–80 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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