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When to Plant Cauliflower in Hocking 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.

Hocking County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 181 days.

At an elevation of 1,354 feet, Hocking County receives approximately 37.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cauliflower during the growing season.

Hocking County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
181 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
181 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Hocking County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Sep 5

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,003 gal / 100 sq ft
Cauliflower needs ~1,066 GDD — county provides 2,488 GDD Excellent fit

Cauliflower Planting Timeline โ€” Hocking County, OH

Cauliflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 7
Direct Sow April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 30
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Aug 26
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 โ€“ Aug 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

181 days

Growing Tips for Hocking 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 Hocking County, OH?

Hocking County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Cauliflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hocking County, OH?

Hocking County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 21.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hocking 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 Hocking County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.