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When to Plant Cauliflower in Bingham County, ID

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.

Bingham County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 21 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 123 days.

At an elevation of 8,345 feet, Bingham County receives approximately 24.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cauliflower during the growing season.

Bingham County, ID (Zone 5a) Short season
123 days
Last Spring Frost May 21
123 growing days
First Fall Frost September 21

Bingham County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (3 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Sep 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (4 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 16 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 17
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: May 12 Transplant: Jun 16 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Oct 13

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 871 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Cauliflower needs ~1,124 GDD — county provides 1,783 GDD Excellent fit

Cauliflower Planting Timeline โ€” Bingham County, ID

Cauliflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Transplant Outdoors May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jun 4
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 โ€“ May 28
Fall Sowing July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Jul 27
Harvest July 16 Jul 16 โ€“ Sep 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 5a

Growing Season

123 days

Growing Tips for Bingham 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 Bingham County, ID?

Bingham County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 21. Plan your Cauliflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bingham County, ID?

Bingham County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 21 and first fall frost is September 21.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bingham County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Bingham County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.