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When to Plant Cauliflower in Real 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.

Real County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is November 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 222 days.

At an elevation of 4,368 feet, Real County receives approximately 60.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Cauliflower may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cauliflower root diseases.

Real County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
222 days
Last Spring Frost March 31
222 growing days
First Fall Frost November 8

Real County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jul 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jul 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 16

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
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 691 gal / 100 sq ft
Cauliflower needs ~1,705 GDD — county provides 4,884 GDD Excellent fit

Cauliflower Planting Timeline โ€” Real County, TX

Cauliflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 24 Feb 24 โ€“ Mar 10
Transplant Outdoors March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 14
Direct Sow March 17 Mar 17 โ€“ Apr 7
Fall Sowing August 30 Aug 30 โ€“ Sep 13
Harvest May 26 May 26 โ€“ Jul 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

222 days

Growing Tips for Real 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 Real County, TX?

Real County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Cauliflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Real County, TX?

Real County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is November 8.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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