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When to Plant Romanesco in Raleigh County, WV

Romanesco is a stunning brassica with a lime-green head composed of fractal-patterned spiraling florets. It has a nuttier, milder flavor than cauliflower.

Raleigh County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 168 days.

At an elevation of 3,257 feet, Raleigh County receives approximately 49.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Romanesco during the growing season.

Raleigh County, WV (Zone 6b) Moderate season
168 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
168 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Raleigh County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Aug 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Aug 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 16 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Sep 17

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
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Romanesco needs ~1,466 GDD — county provides 2,814 GDD Excellent fit

Romanesco Planting Timeline โ€” Raleigh County, WV

Romanesco Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 10
Transplant Outdoors May 1 May 1 โ€“ May 15
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 8
Fall Sowing August 7 Aug 7 โ€“ Aug 21
Harvest July 17 Jul 17 โ€“ Aug 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

75โ€“100 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

168 days

Growing Tips for Raleigh County

Start seeds indoors 5-7 weeks before transplanting. Provide consistent moisture and avoid temperature stress. Harvest when head is fully formed but before florets begin to separate.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes
  • Strawberries

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Romanesco in Raleigh County, WV?

Raleigh County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Romanesco planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Raleigh County, WV?

Raleigh County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Raleigh County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Raleigh County, WV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.