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When to plant Cauliflower in Chautauqua County County,

Chautauqua County County's climate puts the Cauliflower spring window between March 26 and April 16. most warm-season crops establish quickly once soil holds above 60°F. A second sowing from August 16 to August 30 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Cauliflower in Chautauqua County, KS

Cauliflower
Chautauqua County, Kansas Zone 7a June

Chautauqua County, Kansas gardeners: here's your June plan

Welcome to June in Zone 7a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost April 9
Avg. first frost October 25
Soil temp (4") 76°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.5 hrs
  1. Basket week: cauliflower

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

A few tasks this June that'll pay off in July
  • First harvests: cauliflower

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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.

Chautauqua County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.

At an elevation of 890 feet, Chautauqua County receives approximately 20.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Cauliflower during the growing season.

Chautauqua County, KS (Zone 7a) Moderate season
199 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
199 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25
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Chautauqua County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Cauliflower Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jul 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Aug 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 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.

Soil Compatibility in Chautauqua County

How your county's soil matches Cauliflower's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.9) is more alkaline than Cauliflower prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Chautauqua County is excellent for Cauliflower — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). Annual compost additions will help Cauliflower.

How to Plant Cauliflower

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Cauliflower

4
successive plantings in your 199-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 17 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 16.

Cauliflower Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.4″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,192 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Cauliflower

Cauliflower needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Cauliflower Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 1.5" 2.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Chautauqua County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Cauliflower Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Cauliflower needs ~1,066 GDD — county provides 2,736 GDD Excellent fit

Cauliflower Planting Timeline — Chautauqua County, KS

Cauliflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 – Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 – Apr 23
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 – Apr 16
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 – Aug 6
Fall Sowing August 16 Aug 16 – Aug 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

55–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

199 days in Chautauqua County

Growing Tips for Cauliflower in Chautauqua County

Direct sow Cauliflower outdoors after April 09 in Chautauqua County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Cauliflower in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Chautauqua County receives only 21" of rain annually. Cauliflower needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cauliflower in Chautauqua County, KS?

Chautauqua County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Cauliflower planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Chautauqua County, KS?

Chautauqua County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 25.

When should I plant Cauliflower in Chautauqua County County, ?

In Chautauqua County County, , plant Cauliflower after the last frost (around April 9) and before the first frost (around October 25). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Chautauqua County County, for Cauliflower?

Chautauqua County County sits in USDA Zone 7a. Cauliflower grows reliably in zones 2a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Cauliflower grow in Chautauqua County County's climate?

Yes — Cauliflower grows well in Chautauqua County County's temperate climate. Chautauqua County County averages a 199-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 9 and first frost around October 25.

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Your Chautauqua County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Chautauqua County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Chautauqua County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.