Blog

When to Plant Cauliflower in Bent County, CO

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.

Bent County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 163 days.

At an elevation of 4,516 feet, Bent County receives approximately 12.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cauliflower during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Cauliflower successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Bent County, CO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
163 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
163 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

Bent County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 8

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.3″/week
You supply
1.4″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,055 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Cauliflower needs ~1,182 GDD — county provides 2,485 GDD Excellent fit

Cauliflower Planting Timeline โ€” Bent County, CO

Cauliflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 8
Transplant Outdoors April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 13
Direct Sow April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ May 6
Fall Sowing July 31 Jul 31 โ€“ Aug 14
Harvest June 24 Jun 24 โ€“ Aug 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

High โ€” keep soil consistently moist

Days to Maturity

55โ€“100 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6a

Growing Season

163 days

Growing Tips for Bent County

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cauliflower in Bent County, CO?

Bent County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Cauliflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bent County, CO?

Bent County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bent County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Bent County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.