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When to Plant Cauliflower in Camden County, GA

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.

Camden County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 14 and the first fall frost is December 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 295 days.

At an elevation of 194 feet, Camden County receives approximately 51.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 102ยฐF, so Cauliflower may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Cauliflower will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cauliflower root diseases.

Camden County, GA (Zone 9a) Year-round
295 days
Last Spring Frost February 14
295 growing days
First Fall Frost December 6

Camden County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (179 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 6 Transplant: Feb 3 🍅 Harvest: Mar 31 – Jun 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (176 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 17 Transplant: Feb 14 🍅 Harvest: Apr 11 – Jun 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (169 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: May 7 – Jul 9

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 Camden County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.1โ€“6.1) is more acidic than Cauliflower prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Camden County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Cauliflower will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Cauliflower.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Cauliflower.

How to Plant Cauliflower

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

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Cauliflower

6
successive plantings in your 295-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 28 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 11.

Plant Water Budget

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

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€” 4.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Mar 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Apr 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 4.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Febโ€“Dec in Camden 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 ~2,054 GDD — county provides 7,844 GDD Excellent fit

Cauliflower Planting Timeline โ€” Camden County, GA

Cauliflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 17 Jan 17 โ€“ Jan 31
Transplant Outdoors February 14 Feb 14 โ€“ Feb 28
Direct Sow January 24 Jan 24 โ€“ Feb 14
Harvest April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ Jun 13
Fall Sowing October 11 Oct 11 โ€“ Oct 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Direct Sow
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March โ€”
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
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 9a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

295 days in Camden County

Growing Tips for Cauliflower in Camden County

Direct sow Cauliflower outdoors after February 14 in Camden County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Camden County dries quickly โ€” mulch Cauliflower with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Summer highs in Camden County reach 102ยฐF โ€” grow Cauliflower as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.

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 Camden County, GA?

Camden County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 14. Plan your Cauliflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Camden County, GA?

Camden County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 14 and first fall frost is December 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Camden County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Camden County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.