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When to Plant Cauliflower in Boundary 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.

Boundary County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is September 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 135 days.

At an elevation of 5,105 feet, Boundary County receives approximately 21.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cauliflower during the growing season.

Boundary County, ID (Zone 5b) Short season
135 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
135 growing days
First Fall Frost September 22

Boundary County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (16 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Sep 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 30 Transplant: Jun 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Oct 1

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
0.7″/week
You supply
1.0″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,216 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Cauliflower needs ~1,182 GDD — county provides 2,058 GDD Excellent fit

Cauliflower Planting Timeline โ€” Boundary County, ID

Cauliflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 19
Transplant Outdoors May 10 May 10 โ€“ May 24
Direct Sow April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 17
Fall Sowing July 14 Jul 14 โ€“ Jul 28
Harvest July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Sep 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

135 days

Growing Tips for Boundary 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 Boundary County, ID?

Boundary County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Cauliflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Boundary County, ID?

Boundary County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is September 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Boundary County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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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 Boundary County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.