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When to Plant Cauliflower in Gray County, TX

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.

Gray County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 2,319 feet, Gray County receives approximately 46.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 98ยฐF, so Cauliflower may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Cauliflower will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Gray County, TX (Zone 7a) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Gray County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.4-8.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Aug 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Aug 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 23

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 1,127 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Cauliflower needs ~1,821 GDD — county provides 4,700 GDD Excellent fit

Cauliflower Planting Timeline โ€” Gray County, TX

Cauliflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ Apr 24
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 17
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 1
Harvest June 5 Jun 5 โ€“ Aug 7

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 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 7a

Growing Season

200 days

Growing Tips for Gray 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 Gray County, TX?

Gray County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Cauliflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Gray County, TX?

Gray County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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