Blog

When to Plant Cauliflower in Sevier County, AR

Cauliflower is a cool-season brassica that produces dense white, purple, or green heads called curds. It is more finicky than broccoli but rewards with a mild, nutty flavor.

Sevier County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 226 days.

At an elevation of 845 feet, Sevier County receives approximately 49.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cauliflower during the growing season.

Sevier County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
226 days
Last Spring Frost March 25
226 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Sevier County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Mar 16 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jul 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 12

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Sevier County

How your county's soil matches Cauliflower's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4โ€“6.5) is more acidic than Cauliflower prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Sevier County is excellent for Cauliflower โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Cauliflower.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Cauliflower.

How to Plant Cauliflower

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Cauliflower

4
successive plantings in your 226-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 29 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 28.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Cauliflower

Cauliflower needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Cauliflower Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 3.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 4.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec โ€” 3.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Sevier County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Cauliflower Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Cauliflower needs ~1,298 GDD — county provides 3,785 GDD Excellent fit

Cauliflower Planting Timeline โ€” Sevier County, AR

Cauliflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 18 Feb 18 โ€“ Mar 4
Transplant Outdoors March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 8
Direct Sow March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Apr 1
Harvest May 20 May 20 โ€“ Jul 22
Fall Sowing August 28 Aug 28 โ€“ Sep 11

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

55โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_acidic

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

226 days in Sevier County

Growing Tips for Cauliflower in Sevier County

Direct sow Cauliflower outdoors after March 25 in Sevier County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Cauliflower in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 6 weeks before transplanting. Blanch white varieties by tying outer leaves over the head. Provide consistent moisture and avoid temperature extremes.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes
  • Strawberries

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cauliflower in Sevier County, AR?

Sevier County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 25. Plan your Cauliflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sevier County, AR?

Sevier County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 25 and first fall frost is November 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Sevier County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Sevier County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.