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When to Plant Cauliflower in Wood 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.

Wood County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 249 days.

At an elevation of 15 feet, Wood County receives approximately 65.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cauliflower during the growing season. 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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cauliflower root diseases.

Wood County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
249 days
Last Spring Frost March 12
249 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Wood County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: Apr 30 – Jul 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 5 Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: May 7 – Jul 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jul 27

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 868 gal / 100 sq ft
Cauliflower needs ~1,589 GDD — county provides 5,104 GDD Excellent fit

Cauliflower Planting Timeline โ€” Wood 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 7 Sep 7 โ€“ Sep 21
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

249 days

Growing Tips for Wood 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 Wood County, TX?

Wood 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 Wood County, TX?

Wood County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 12 and first fall frost is November 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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