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When to Plant Cauliflower in Limestone 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.

Limestone County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost is November 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 247 days.

At an elevation of 214 feet, Limestone County receives approximately 69.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cauliflower during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Cauliflower, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cauliflower root diseases.

Limestone County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
247 days
Last Spring Frost March 12
247 growing days
First Fall Frost November 14

Limestone County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7.1-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: Apr 30 – Jul 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: May 7 – Jul 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (119 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Aug 5

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
1.2″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 692 gal / 100 sq ft
Cauliflower needs ~1,531 GDD — county provides 4,878 GDD Excellent fit

Cauliflower Planting Timeline โ€” Limestone County, TX

Cauliflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 5 Feb 5 โ€“ Feb 19
Transplant Outdoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Direct Sow February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 19
Fall Sowing September 5 Sep 5 โ€“ Sep 19
Harvest May 7 May 7 โ€“ Jul 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
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 8a

Growing Season

247 days

Growing Tips for Limestone 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 Limestone County, TX?

Limestone County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 12. Plan your Cauliflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Limestone County, TX?

Limestone County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 12 and first fall frost is November 14.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Limestone County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Limestone County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.