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When to Plant Cauliflower in Pittsburg County, OK

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.

Pittsburg County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 4 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 211 days.

At an elevation of 620 feet, Pittsburg County receives approximately 32.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cauliflower during the growing season.

Pittsburg County, OK (Zone 7a) Long season
211 days
Last Spring Frost April 4
211 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Pittsburg County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Aug 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 14

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.

Soil Compatibility in Pittsburg County

How your county's soil matches Cauliflower's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6โ€“7.2) overlaps with Cauliflower's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Pittsburg County is excellent for Cauliflower โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.7%). Annual compost additions will help Cauliflower.

How to Plant Cauliflower

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Cauliflower

4
successive plantings in your 211-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 24 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 23.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 659 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Cauliflower

Cauliflower needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Cauliflower Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 1.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 5.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2" 2.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov 4.3" 1" 3.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Dec โ€” 1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Nov in Pittsburg County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Cauliflower Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Cauliflower needs ~1,356 GDD — county provides 3,692 GDD Excellent fit

Cauliflower Planting Timeline โ€” Pittsburg County, OK

Cauliflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 28 Feb 28 โ€“ Mar 14
Transplant Outdoors April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 18
Direct Sow March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 11
Harvest May 30 May 30 โ€“ Aug 1
Fall Sowing August 23 Aug 23 โ€“ Sep 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

55โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

211 days in Pittsburg County

Growing Tips for Cauliflower in Pittsburg County

Direct sow Cauliflower outdoors after April 04 in Pittsburg County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Cauliflower in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cauliflower in Pittsburg County, OK?

Pittsburg County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 4. Plan your Cauliflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pittsburg County, OK?

Pittsburg County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 4 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pittsburg County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Pittsburg County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.