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When to Plant Cauliflower in Lincoln 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.

Lincoln County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 3,458 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 51.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cauliflower during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cauliflower root diseases.

Lincoln County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Lincoln County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Aug 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 19

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
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 730 gal / 100 sq ft
Cauliflower needs ~1,531 GDD — county provides 3,950 GDD Excellent fit

Cauliflower Planting Timeline โ€” Lincoln County, TN

Cauliflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 16
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 โ€“ Aug 31
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 โ€“ Aug 6

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 7a

Growing Season

200 days

Growing Tips for Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, TN?

Lincoln County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Cauliflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lincoln County, TN?

Lincoln County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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