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When to Plant Cauliflower in Claiborne 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.

Claiborne County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.

At an elevation of 2,594 feet, Claiborne County receives approximately 43.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cauliflower during the growing season.

Claiborne County, TN (Zone 6b) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 13
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Claiborne County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Aug 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Aug 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (67 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 28

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 941 gal / 100 sq ft
Cauliflower needs ~1,414 GDD — county provides 3,504 GDD Excellent fit

Cauliflower Planting Timeline โ€” Claiborne County, TN

Cauliflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 9 Mar 9 โ€“ Mar 23
Transplant Outdoors April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ Apr 27
Direct Sow March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 20
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27
Harvest June 8 Jun 8 โ€“ Aug 10

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
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 6b

Growing Season

192 days

Growing Tips for Claiborne 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 Claiborne County, TN?

Claiborne County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Cauliflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Claiborne County, TN?

Claiborne County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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