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When to Plant Cauliflower in Richland 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.

Richland County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 1,020 feet, Richland County receives approximately 34.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cauliflower during the growing season.

Richland County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Richland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 9

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
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,045 gal / 100 sq ft
Cauliflower needs ~1,182 GDD — county provides 2,653 GDD Excellent fit

Cauliflower Planting Timeline โ€” Richland County, OH

Cauliflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Transplant Outdoors April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 11
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Fall Sowing August 9 Aug 9 โ€“ Aug 23
Harvest June 22 Jun 22 โ€“ Aug 24

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 Direct Sow
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 5b

Growing Season

174 days

Growing Tips for Richland 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 Richland County, OH?

Richland County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Cauliflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Richland County, OH?

Richland County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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