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When to Plant Cauliflower in Hawkins 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.

Hawkins County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 190 days.

At an elevation of 1,961 feet, Hawkins County receives approximately 41.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cauliflower during the growing season.

Hawkins County, TN (Zone 6b) Moderate season
190 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
190 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Hawkins County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Aug 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 29

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
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 278 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Cauliflower needs ~1,182 GDD — county provides 2,897 GDD Excellent fit

Cauliflower Planting Timeline โ€” Hawkins County, TN

Cauliflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Mar 25
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ Apr 29
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 22
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27
Harvest June 10 Jun 10 โ€“ Aug 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
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

190 days

Growing Tips for Hawkins 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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cauliflower in Hawkins County, TN?

Hawkins County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Cauliflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hawkins County, TN?

Hawkins County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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