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When to Plant Cauliflower in Dawson 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.

Dawson County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.

At an elevation of 433 feet, Dawson County receives approximately 54.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cauliflower during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Cauliflower, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cauliflower root diseases.

Dawson County, GA (Zone 7b) Long season
217 days
Last Spring Frost March 31
217 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Dawson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jul 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jul 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 22

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
1.1″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 849 gal / 100 sq ft
Cauliflower needs ~1,589 GDD — county provides 4,448 GDD Excellent fit

Cauliflower Planting Timeline โ€” Dawson County, GA

Cauliflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 24 Feb 24 โ€“ Mar 10
Transplant Outdoors March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 14
Direct Sow March 17 Mar 17 โ€“ Apr 7
Fall Sowing August 25 Aug 25 โ€“ Sep 8
Harvest May 26 May 26 โ€“ Jul 28

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

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 7b

Growing Season

217 days

Growing Tips for Dawson 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cauliflower in Dawson County, GA?

Dawson County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Cauliflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dawson County, GA?

Dawson County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is November 3.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

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