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When to Plant Cauliflower in Chester County, TN

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.

Chester County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 1,665 feet, Chester County receives approximately 52.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cauliflower during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cauliflower root diseases.

Chester County, TN (Zone 7b) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 2
209 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Chester County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 15

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
1.1″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 975 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Cauliflower needs ~1,414 GDD — county provides 3,814 GDD Excellent fit

Cauliflower Planting Timeline โ€” Chester County, TN

Cauliflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 12
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Direct Sow March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 9
Fall Sowing August 19 Aug 19 โ€“ Sep 2
Harvest May 28 May 28 โ€“ Jul 30

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
September Fall Sowing
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 7b

Growing Season

209 days

Growing Tips for Chester 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 Chester County, TN?

Chester County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 2. Plan your Cauliflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Chester County, TN?

Chester County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 2 and first fall frost is October 28.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Chester County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Chester County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.