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When to Plant Cauliflower in Prince Edward County, VA

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.

Prince Edward County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 194 days.

At an elevation of 592 feet, Prince Edward County receives approximately 46.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cauliflower during the growing season.

Prince Edward County, VA (Zone 7a) Moderate season
194 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
194 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Prince Edward County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Aug 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Aug 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 24

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
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 837 gal / 100 sq ft
Cauliflower needs ~1,472 GDD — county provides 3,686 GDD Excellent fit

Cauliflower Planting Timeline โ€” Prince Edward County, VA

Cauliflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ Apr 28
Direct Sow March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 21
Fall Sowing August 16 Aug 16 โ€“ Aug 30
Harvest June 9 Jun 9 โ€“ Aug 11

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 โ€”
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

194 days

Growing Tips for Prince Edward 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 Prince Edward County, VA?

Prince Edward County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Cauliflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Prince Edward County, VA?

Prince Edward County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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