When to plant cauliflower in Cottage Grove, OR

Start cauliflower from seed indoors Feb 6–20, then plant the young plants in the garden in Cottage Grove Mar 27 – Apr 24. For a fall harvest, plant again Jul 16–30.

Tricky here Plant young plants (starts)

Why these dates

Cottage Grove's typical last spring frost is April 24. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop can go in about 4 weeks before that.

West-side valleys. The Willamette Valley, Puget Sound and southern Oregon valleys. Long frost-free seasons, but soil stays cold and wet into May, so warm crops wait for warm soil, not just the last frost.

Difficulty: Tricky here
Sun: Full sun
Spacing: 18 to 24 inches apart
Planting depth: Plant starts at the depth they grew in the pot
Frost: Handles light frost
First harvest: About 75 days after planting

Step by step

Start seeds indoors Feb 6–20 in trays or small pots under a grow light or in your sunniest window. Or skip this step and buy young plants (starts) at a garden center.
Harden off the young plants: about a week before planting, set them outside for a few hours a day, a little longer each day.
Plant them in the garden Mar 27 – Apr 24, 18 to 24 inches apart. Plant starts at the depth they grew in the pot.
Water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little every day, and mulch once the soil is warm.
Plant again Jul 16–30 for a fall harvest.
Harvest: Cut the head while it's firm and tight, before the curds start to separate. Tie the outer leaves over young heads to keep them white.

Varieties that do well here

Snow Crown
Amazing
Graffiti (purple)

Watch out for

A cold snap or dry spell makes plants form tiny 'button' heads. Keep the soil evenly moist and don't rush spring planting.

Fussier than broccoli: a setback from a cold snap or dry soil makes tiny 'button' heads. Fall crops are often the most reliable here.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Cottage Grove, OR?

Typically April 24. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 10. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Cottage Grove.

Is it too late to plant cauliflower in Cottage Grove?

The spring planting window runs through April 24. If you miss it, plant again for fall from July 16 to July 30.

When should I start cauliflower from seed indoors in Cottage Grove?

February 6 to February 20, which is 7 to 5 weeks before the March 27 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

Also plant in Cottage Grove around the same time

Planting dates for cauliflower in nearby areas

Salem, OR Mar 15 – Apr 12
Eugene, OR Mar 15 – Apr 12
McMinnville and Newberg, OR Mar 18 – Apr 15
Corvallis and Albany, OR Mar 15 – Apr 12
Portland, OR Mar 15 – Apr 12
Gresham, OR Mar 15 – Apr 12

Full planting calendar for Cottage Grove · Cauliflower in every city