Cool-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Cauliflower in Georgia

The diva of the brassica family. More temperamental than broccoli but worth the extra attention.

The Short Answer

Cauliflower is the diva of Georgia's cool-season garden — it demands more consistent conditions than the state's variable winter weather typically provides. But Piedmont gardeners who time their fall planting to coincide with the most stable cool-weather window can produce beautiful heads.

Georgia Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Georgia you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
North Georgia Mountains 6b, 7a Apr 5 - Apr 20 Oct 10 - Oct 25
Central Georgia 7b, 8a Mar 15 - Apr 1 Nov 1 - Nov 15
South Georgia 8a, 8b, 9a Feb 28 - Mar 15 Nov 10 - Nov 25

Cauliflower Planting Schedule for Georgia

North Georgia Mountains (Zones 6b, 7a)

Average last frost: Apr 5 - Apr 20 · Average first frost: Oct 10 - Oct 25

Start Seeds Indoors
6 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks before frost
Fall Planting
10 wks before first frost

Central Georgia (Zones 7b, 8a)

Average last frost: Mar 15 - Apr 1 · Average first frost: Nov 1 - Nov 15

Start Seeds Indoors
6 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks before frost
Fall Planting
10 wks before first frost

South Georgia (Zones 8a, 8b, 9a)

Average last frost: Feb 28 - Mar 15 · Average first frost: Nov 10 - Nov 25

Start Seeds Indoors
6 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
2 wks before frost
Fall Planting
10 wks before first frost

Growing Cauliflower in Georgia

State-Specific Growing Tips

Mountains: fall transplant late July. Piedmont: transplant late September-October. South Georgia: transplant November. Georgia's fall cool-down period is more gradual and consistent than its spring warm-up, making fall cauliflower more reliable than spring. Heavy nitrogen feeding during head formation. Blanch white varieties.

Recommended Varieties for Georgia

Snow Crown for reliability. Amazing for larger heads. Self-blanching varieties recommended for Georgia beginners. UGA Extension suggests starting with broccoli (more forgiving) before attempting cauliflower.

Common Challenges in Georgia

Temperature spikes during heading cause buttoning. Cabbage worms and harlequin bugs. Georgia's variable winter temperatures make cauliflower the most challenging brassica. Clubroot in acidic soils.

Growing Tips

Blanch white varieties by tying outer leaves over the head when it reaches 2 inches. Temperature swings cause buttoning.

Companion Planting

Plant cauliflower alongside these companions for better growth:

Beets Celery Onions

Keep cauliflower away from:

Strawberries Tomatoes

The Bottom Line

Cauliflower can be grown successfully in Georgia with proper attention to regional frost dates and local growing conditions. Timing varies across the state — North Georgia Mountains gardeners work with a last frost around Apr 5 - Apr 20, while South Georgia sees frost end around Feb 28 - Mar 15. Choose varieties suited to your region, amend your soil based on its specific needs, and monitor for the pests and diseases most common in your area. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Cauliflower Growing Guide National planting guide with all states Georgia Planting Calendar All plants for Georgia Cauliflower in Alabama Alabama planting dates Cauliflower in Alaska Alaska planting dates Cauliflower in Arizona Arizona planting dates Cauliflower in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

Ready to Start Planting?

Enter your zip code and pick your plant. We'll tell you exactly when to plant, start seeds, and harvest — based on where you live.

Find Your Planting Dates