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When to Plant Cauliflower in Clinton County, OH

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.

Clinton County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 189 days.

At an elevation of 902 feet, Clinton County receives approximately 32.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cauliflower during the growing season.

Clinton County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
189 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
189 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Clinton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (63 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 2 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Sep 3

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,301 gal / 100 sq ft
Cauliflower needs ~1,066 GDD — county provides 2,598 GDD Excellent fit

Cauliflower Planting Timeline โ€” Clinton County, OH

Cauliflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ Apr 30
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27
Harvest June 11 Jun 11 โ€“ Aug 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

189 days

Growing Tips for Clinton 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 Clinton County, OH?

Clinton County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Cauliflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clinton County, OH?

Clinton County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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