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When to Plant Cauliflower in Maine

🌱

Start Seeds Indoors

Tuesday, March 9, 2027

Transplant outdoors: Tuesday, April 20, 2027

State

Maine

USDA Zones

3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a

Avg Last Frost

Tuesday, April 20, 2027

Cities Covered

458

Maine Planting Schedule by Zone

Maine spans 8 zones — find yours below for the most accurate dates.

Zone Last Frost Start Indoors Transplant
3b Thursday, May 20, 2027 Thursday, April 8, 2027 Thursday, May 20, 2027
4a Saturday, May 15, 2027 Saturday, April 3, 2027 Saturday, May 15, 2027
4b Wednesday, May 5, 2027 Wednesday, March 24, 2027 Wednesday, May 5, 2027
5a Monday, May 10, 2027 Monday, March 29, 2027 Monday, May 10, 2027
5b Sunday, April 25, 2027 Sunday, March 14, 2027 Sunday, April 25, 2027
6a Tuesday, April 20, 2027 Tuesday, March 9, 2027 Tuesday, April 20, 2027
6b Thursday, April 15, 2027 Thursday, March 4, 2027 Thursday, April 15, 2027
7a Saturday, April 10, 2027 Saturday, February 27, 2027 Saturday, April 10, 2027

Dates based on average last frost. Check your local forecast before planting.

🌿 About Cauliflower

Scientific Name Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
Days to Maturity 75 days
Plant Type Head
Sun Full Sun (6 hours)
Water Regular (1-1.5 inches/week)
Spacing 18" apart

🤝 Companion Plants for Cauliflower

Good Companions

BeetCeleryBeanOnion

Avoid Planting Near

StrawberryTomato
See the full companion planting guide for Cauliflower →

Growing Cauliflower in Maine: Complete Guide

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) is a warm-season crop that needs a head start indoors before Maine's last frost. Most Maine gardeners begin seeds indoors around Tuesday, March 9, 2027 and move transplants outside around Tuesday, April 20, 2027, after the risk of frost has passed.

Because Maine stretches across 8 USDA hardiness zones (3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a), planting windows can shift by as much as six to eight weeks from one end of the state to the other. Gardeners in the warmer southern zones can start earlier, while those in cooler northern zones should wait until the zone table above shows their last frost has passed.

With 75 days to maturity, Cauliflower needs the indoor head start that Maine's growing season requires. Starting indoors ensures you have strong transplants ready the moment outdoor conditions are right.

Cauliflower requires full sun (6 hours) and regular (1-1.5 inches/week) moisture. In the Northeast, cool summers and moderate humidity can slow warm-season crops, so choose a sheltered, south-facing spot to maximise heat.

For the most precise planting dates tailored to your exact location, enter your ZIP code on our planting calendar or use the zone table above to find the schedule for your area of Maine.

Growing Cauliflower in Maine: Local Tips

Climate-specific advice for Maine gardeners.

Fall crop reliably outperforms spring

Northeast cauliflower transplanted in late July–early August matures in cool September–October, producing tight, white heads; spring cauliflower often buttons (forms tiny premature heads) in the rapid spring warmup.

Blanching produces white heads

When the curd is 2–3 inches across, pull outer leaves up and secure them over the head to exclude light; this classic technique prevents yellowing and keeps heads pure white.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cauliflower in Maine?

In Maine, start Cauliflower seeds indoors around Tuesday, March 9, 2027 and transplant outdoors around Tuesday, April 20, 2027 after your last frost. Maine spans zones 3b–7a, so dates shift by 1–4 weeks depending on where you live.

What is the last frost date in Maine?

Maine spans 8 USDA zones (3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a), so last frost dates vary by region. Clayton Lake, Estcourt Station (3b) sees frost until around Thursday, May 20, 2027, while Matinicus (7a) is frost-free much earlier.

How long does Cauliflower take to grow in Maine?

Cauliflower takes about 75 days from transplant (or direct sow) to harvest. Starting seeds indoors in Maine gives you a head start so plants are ready to go out after the last frost.

What USDA zones does Maine cover for Cauliflower?

Maine includes zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a. Cauliflower grows well across all of these zones with adjusted timing — use the zone table above to find the right dates for your part of the state.

When to Plant Cauliflower by City in Maine

Dates are based on each city's USDA zone and average last frost.

City Zone Last Frost Start Indoors Transplant
Abbot 5a Monday, May 10, 2027 Monday, March 29, 2027 Monday, May 10, 2027
Acton 5b Sunday, April 25, 2027 Sunday, March 14, 2027 Sunday, April 25, 2027
Addison 6a Tuesday, April 20, 2027 Tuesday, March 9, 2027 Tuesday, April 20, 2027
Albion 5a Monday, May 10, 2027 Monday, March 29, 2027 Monday, May 10, 2027
Alfred 5b Sunday, April 25, 2027 Sunday, March 14, 2027 Sunday, April 25, 2027
Alna 5b Sunday, April 25, 2027 Sunday, March 14, 2027 Sunday, April 25, 2027
Andover 4b Wednesday, May 5, 2027 Wednesday, March 24, 2027 Wednesday, May 5, 2027
Anson 5a Monday, May 10, 2027 Monday, March 29, 2027 Monday, May 10, 2027
Ashland 4a Saturday, May 15, 2027 Saturday, April 3, 2027 Saturday, May 15, 2027
Athens 5a Monday, May 10, 2027 Monday, March 29, 2027 Monday, May 10, 2027
Auburn 5b Sunday, April 25, 2027 Sunday, March 14, 2027 Sunday, April 25, 2027
Augusta 5b Sunday, April 25, 2027 Sunday, March 14, 2027 Sunday, April 25, 2027
Aurora 5a Monday, May 10, 2027 Monday, March 29, 2027 Monday, May 10, 2027
Bailey Island 6a Tuesday, April 20, 2027 Tuesday, March 9, 2027 Tuesday, April 20, 2027
Baileyville 5b Sunday, April 25, 2027 Sunday, March 14, 2027 Sunday, April 25, 2027
Bangor 5a Monday, May 10, 2027 Monday, March 29, 2027 Monday, May 10, 2027
Bar Harbor 6a Tuesday, April 20, 2027 Tuesday, March 9, 2027 Tuesday, April 20, 2027
Bar Mills 5b Sunday, April 25, 2027 Sunday, March 14, 2027 Sunday, April 25, 2027
Bass Harbor 6a Tuesday, April 20, 2027 Tuesday, March 9, 2027 Tuesday, April 20, 2027
Bath 6a Tuesday, April 20, 2027 Tuesday, March 9, 2027 Tuesday, April 20, 2027
Beals 6a Tuesday, April 20, 2027 Tuesday, March 9, 2027 Tuesday, April 20, 2027
Belfast 5b Sunday, April 25, 2027 Sunday, March 14, 2027 Sunday, April 25, 2027
Belgrade 5b Sunday, April 25, 2027 Sunday, March 14, 2027 Sunday, April 25, 2027
Belgrade Lakes 5a Monday, May 10, 2027 Monday, March 29, 2027 Monday, May 10, 2027
Benedicta 5a Monday, May 10, 2027 Monday, March 29, 2027 Monday, May 10, 2027
Bernard 6a Tuesday, April 20, 2027 Tuesday, March 9, 2027 Tuesday, April 20, 2027
Berwick 6a Tuesday, April 20, 2027 Tuesday, March 9, 2027 Tuesday, April 20, 2027
Bethel 5a Monday, May 10, 2027 Monday, March 29, 2027 Monday, May 10, 2027
Biddeford 5b Sunday, April 25, 2027 Sunday, March 14, 2027 Sunday, April 25, 2027
Biddeford Pool 5b Sunday, April 25, 2027 Sunday, March 14, 2027 Sunday, April 25, 2027
Bingham 5a Monday, May 10, 2027 Monday, March 29, 2027 Monday, May 10, 2027
Birch Harbor 6a Tuesday, April 20, 2027 Tuesday, March 9, 2027 Tuesday, April 20, 2027
Blaine 4a Saturday, May 15, 2027 Saturday, April 3, 2027 Saturday, May 15, 2027
Blue Hill 5b Sunday, April 25, 2027 Sunday, March 14, 2027 Sunday, April 25, 2027
Boothbay 6a Tuesday, April 20, 2027 Tuesday, March 9, 2027 Tuesday, April 20, 2027
Boothbay Harbor 6a Tuesday, April 20, 2027 Tuesday, March 9, 2027 Tuesday, April 20, 2027
Bowdoin 5b Sunday, April 25, 2027 Sunday, March 14, 2027 Sunday, April 25, 2027
Bowdoinham 5b Sunday, April 25, 2027 Sunday, March 14, 2027 Sunday, April 25, 2027
Bradford 5a Monday, May 10, 2027 Monday, March 29, 2027 Monday, May 10, 2027
Bradley 5a Monday, May 10, 2027 Monday, March 29, 2027 Monday, May 10, 2027
Bremen 6a Tuesday, April 20, 2027 Tuesday, March 9, 2027 Tuesday, April 20, 2027
Brewer 5a Monday, May 10, 2027 Monday, March 29, 2027 Monday, May 10, 2027
Bridgewater 4b Wednesday, May 5, 2027 Wednesday, March 24, 2027 Wednesday, May 5, 2027
Bridgton 5a Monday, May 10, 2027 Monday, March 29, 2027 Monday, May 10, 2027
Bristol 6a Tuesday, April 20, 2027 Tuesday, March 9, 2027 Tuesday, April 20, 2027
Brooklin 6a Tuesday, April 20, 2027 Tuesday, March 9, 2027 Tuesday, April 20, 2027
Brooks 5a Monday, May 10, 2027 Monday, March 29, 2027 Monday, May 10, 2027
Brooksville 5b Sunday, April 25, 2027 Sunday, March 14, 2027 Sunday, April 25, 2027
Brookton 5a Monday, May 10, 2027 Monday, March 29, 2027 Monday, May 10, 2027
Brownfield 5a Monday, May 10, 2027 Monday, March 29, 2027 Monday, May 10, 2027
Brownville 5a Monday, May 10, 2027 Monday, March 29, 2027 Monday, May 10, 2027
Brownville Junction 5a Monday, May 10, 2027 Monday, March 29, 2027 Monday, May 10, 2027
Brunswick 5b Sunday, April 25, 2027 Sunday, March 14, 2027 Sunday, April 25, 2027
Bryant Pond 5a Monday, May 10, 2027 Monday, March 29, 2027 Monday, May 10, 2027
Buckfield 5b Sunday, April 25, 2027 Sunday, March 14, 2027 Sunday, April 25, 2027
Bucksport 5a Monday, May 10, 2027 Monday, March 29, 2027 Monday, May 10, 2027
Burlington 5a Monday, May 10, 2027 Monday, March 29, 2027 Monday, May 10, 2027
Burnham 5a Monday, May 10, 2027 Monday, March 29, 2027 Monday, May 10, 2027
Bustins Island 5b Sunday, April 25, 2027 Sunday, March 14, 2027 Sunday, April 25, 2027
Calais 5b Sunday, April 25, 2027 Sunday, March 14, 2027 Sunday, April 25, 2027

Showing 60 of 458 cities. Enter your ZIP on the planting calendar for your exact dates.

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