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When to Plant Cauliflower in Burleson County, TX

Cauliflower
Burleson County, Texas Zone 9a August

August to-do list for Burleson County, Texas

Each item below is timed to Burleson County, Texas's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost March 6
Avg. first frost November 20
Soil temp (4") 93°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.1 hrs
September prep starts now
  • Fall sowing: 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.

Burleson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 259 days.

At an elevation of 154 feet, Burleson County receives approximately 59.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Cauliflower during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Cauliflower, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cauliflower root diseases.

Burleson County, TX (Zone 9a) Long season
259 days
Last Spring Frost March 6
259 growing days
First Fall Frost November 20

Burleson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Cauliflower Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (141 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Feb 26 🍅 Harvest: Apr 23 – Jun 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (140 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 1 – Jul 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (135 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Aug 2

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 Burleson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.0–7.8) is more alkaline than Cauliflower prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Heavy clay soil (44% clay) in Burleson County compacts easily and drains slowly. Amend with compost and avoid working soil when wet.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Cauliflower.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). Annual compost additions will help Cauliflower.

How to Plant Cauliflower

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

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Cauliflower

5
successive plantings in your 259-day season

Sow every 6.3 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 12 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 25.

Cauliflower Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 7.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 8.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Burleson 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 ~1,531 GDD — county provides 5,115 GDD Excellent fit

Cauliflower Planting Timeline — Burleson County, TX

Cauliflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 6 Feb 6 – Feb 20
Transplant Outdoors March 6 Mar 6 – Mar 20
Direct Sow February 13 Feb 13 – Mar 6
Harvest May 1 May 1 – Jul 3
Fall Sowing September 25 Sep 25 – Oct 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

55–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

259 days in Burleson County

Growing Tips for Cauliflower in Burleson County

Direct sow Cauliflower outdoors after March 06 in Burleson County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Burleson County's clay soil (44% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Cauliflower. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Summer highs in Burleson County reach 93°F — grow Cauliflower as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.

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

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 Burleson County, TX?

Burleson County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 6. Plan your Cauliflower planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Burleson County, TX?

Burleson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 20.

🌱

Your Burleson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Burleson County (Zone 9a). 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 Burleson County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

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