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When to Plant Cauliflower in Elgin, Texas (78621)

Location

Elgin, Texas

ZIP Code

78621

USDA Zone

9a

Last Frost

Friday, February 20, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Start Seeds Indoors

Friday, January 9, 2026

Transplant Outdoors

Friday, February 20, 2026

Based on last frost Friday, February 20, 2026 · Zone 9a

Pro tip: Start Cauliflower seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Friday, February 20, 2026.

🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
Days to Maturity 75 days
Mature Height 18-24"
Spread 24"
Type Head
Fruit Size Medium (6-8 inch head)

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (6 hours)

💧

Water

Regular (1-1.5 inches/week)

↔️

Spacing

18" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.5" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 4-10 days

Ready to Plant Cauliflower in Elgin?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Friday, January 9, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

BeetCeleryBeanOnion

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

StrawberryTomato
🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Cauliflower

See which plants help Cauliflower thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

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Common Cauliflower Varieties

Popular cultivars to look for at your local nursery or seed supplier.

Snowball Y Improved

white 68d

Classic white cauliflower with dense, tight curds; reliable and widely adapted.

Cheddar

colored 68d

Orange-headed variety with a mild, buttery flavor and high beta-carotene content.

Graffiti

colored 80d

Brilliant purple cauliflower that holds its color when roasted; slightly nutty flavor.

Romanesco

specialty 80d

Lime-green logarithmic spirals with a mild, nutty taste; equally vegetable and art piece.

🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🔴 Difficult
✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Allow head to bloom fully after the eating stage. Harvest seed pods when dry and tan.

Processing

Thresh dried seed stalks, winnow seeds from chaff.

Seed Viability

Up to 5 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

B. oleracea — crosses with all other oleracea cole crops. Very difficult to keep pure at home scale.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 14 plants of Cauliflower. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cauliflower in Elgin, Texas? +

In Elgin (Zone 9a), start Cauliflower seeds indoors around Friday, January 9, 2026 and transplant outdoors around Friday, February 20, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Elgin, Texas? +

The average last spring frost date for Elgin, Texas (ZIP 78621) is around Friday, February 20, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 9a.

How long does Cauliflower take to grow? +

Cauliflower typically matures in about 75 days from transplanting. In Elgin, that means you can expect harvest around Friday, February 20, 2026 plus 75 days.

Should I start Cauliflower indoors or direct sow in Texas? +

Cauliflower should be started indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date. In Elgin, that means starting around Friday, January 9, 2026.

Other Plants for Elgin

Growing Cauliflower in Zone 9a

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) is a popular garden vegetable. In Elgin, Texas, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a, you should start seeds indoors around Friday, January 9, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Friday, February 20, 2026. Plan to transplant your Cauliflower seedlings outdoors around Friday, February 20, 2026, about 0 weeks after your last frost date.