When to plant cauliflower in Rochester, New York

April 10 – April 24

Transplant outdoors · typical Rochester year

Climate basis: NOAA station Rochester Gtr INTL AP, NY (USW00014768), 5 mi (7 km) from downtown Rochester (ZCTA 14604 centroid), elevation 533 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant cauliflower outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (April 24). One year in ten still freezes after May 8.

Last spring freezeApril 241-in-10 after May 8

First fall freezeOctober 251-in-10 before Oct 8

Frost-free season≈ 181 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Apr 14 – Nov 6kills even hardy greens

USDA zone6b-5 to 0°F winter low — not frost timing

The Rochester year

Start seeds indoorsFeb 27 – Mar 13

Transplant outdoorsApr 10 – Apr 24

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to May 8

Cauliflower in Rochester · freeze context from Rochester Gtr INTL AP, NY, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Feb 27 – Mar 13

Sow 4–6 weeks before the set-out window opens (UNH 4–6 weeks; Missouri G6570 6–8 weeks). Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 24). University of New Hampshire Extension · University of Missouri Extension

Transplant outdoors

Apr 10 – Apr 24

UNH: set out 2 weeks before the last frost; Purdue's semi-hardy class allows 2–4 weeks before. The later UNH point is used, with a 14-day span. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 24). University of New Hampshire Extension · Purdue University Extension

Variety assumption: Assumes an average variety (about 55–75 days from transplant).

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:

Crop rule sources (3)

University of New Hampshire Extension: Growing Vegetables: When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden [fact sheet] (accessed 2026-07-24)
Per-crop 'time from seed to transplant' and 'safe to set out in garden' relative to last frost.
University of Missouri Extension: Starting Plants Indoors from Seeds (G6570) (accessed 2026-07-24)
Weeks needed to grow vegetable transplants indoors (Table 2).
Purdue University Extension: Indiana Vegetable Planting Calendar (HO-186-W) (accessed 2026-07-24)
Hardiness classes: hardy = plant 4-6 wk before last spring frost; semi-hardy = 2-4 wk before; tender = after average last frost; very tender = at least 2 wk after. Table 2: fall planting at least 4-8 wk before first fall frost.

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