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When to Plant Cauliflower in Zavala 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.

Zavala County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 26 and the first fall frost is November 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 276 days.

At an elevation of 4,905 feet, Zavala County receives approximately 59.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly 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.

Zavala County, TX (Zone 8b) Year-round
276 days
Last Spring Frost February 26
276 growing days
First Fall Frost November 29

Zavala County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (163 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 8 Transplant: Feb 12 🍅 Harvest: Apr 9 – Jun 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (157 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 22 Transplant: Feb 26 🍅 Harvest: Apr 23 – Jun 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (149 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jul 20

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,466 gal / 100 sq ft
Cauliflower needs ~1,531 GDD — county provides 5,470 GDD Excellent fit

Cauliflower Planting Timeline โ€” Zavala County, TX

Cauliflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 22 Jan 22 โ€“ Feb 5
Transplant Outdoors February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 12
Direct Sow February 12 Feb 12 โ€“ Mar 5
Fall Sowing September 20 Sep 20 โ€“ Oct 4
Harvest April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ Jun 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October Fall Sowing
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 8b

Growing Season

276 days

Growing Tips for Zavala 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 Zavala County, TX?

Zavala County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 26. Plan your Cauliflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Zavala County, TX?

Zavala County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 26 and first fall frost is November 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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