Wyoming planting calendar

When to plant cauliflower in Wyoming — sow, transplant & harvest dates

Wyoming is mostly USDA zone 4b (range 3a-6a). Dates below are derived from cauliflower's frost tolerance and Wyoming's frost window — not generic national averages.

Cauliflower planting timetable for Wyoming

Stage	When in Wyoming	Anchor
Start seeds indoors	mid-April (April 13)	6 weeks before the last frost (late May)
Transplant outside	mid-May (May 11)	14 days before the last frost (late May)
First harvest (estimate)	early August (August 4)	~85 days from transplant

Dates are state-wide averages for the dominant zone. Local microclimates — elevation, urban heat, coastal moderation — can shift the window by 1-2 weeks. Use the frost-date calculator for a date tuned to your town.

Why Wyoming's climate shifts the cauliflower dates

Wyoming's last spring frost averages late May and first fall frost mid-September, which sets the whole planting clock. Wyoming is a high, cold, short-season state. Altitude and wind matter as much as the winter low; frost can come in any summer month at elevation. Sow early — cauliflower bolt once daytime temperatures hold above 24 °C, so the earlier they go in, the longer the harvest.

More temperature-sensitive than broccoli — optimal growing range is 15–18 °C (60–65 °F); temperatures above 27 °C (80 °F) cause loose, ricey curds, while a sharp frost below −3 °C (27 °F) can damage developing heads. Start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost and transplant 2–3 weeks before last frost. Blanch white varieties by tying outer leaves over the curd when it reaches golf-ball size, or choose self-blanching types. Succession planting is difficult in spring in hot climates (zones 7+); fall crops from a midsummer sowing are often more reliable.

Frost-risk note

Don't plant before late May — a hard freeze can still set young plants back. In the high mountain basins like Jackson Hole (zone 3a) the safe date runs a week or two later.

Regional variation within Wyoming

the high mountain basins like Jackson Hole (zone 3a) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the lower southeast plains near Cheyenne (zone 6a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

Cheyenne — USDA zone 5b
Casper — USDA zone 5a
Jackson — USDA zone 4a
Sheridan — USDA zone 5a

What else to plant in Wyoming around then

The same early window suits peas, lettuce, spinach, and onion sets.

Quick-grow guide

Sun: Full sun — 6+ hours direct.
Soil temperature for germination: 7–24 °C (45–75 °F).
Spacing: 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) between plants.
Days to harvest: ~85 days from planting out.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to plant cauliflower in Wyoming?

In Wyoming (mostly USDA zone 4b), sow cauliflower indoors around mid-April, transplant outdoors mid-May (before the last frost, late May), and harvest from early August. Cauliflower are half-hardy — young plants shrug off a light frost but not a hard freeze, so sowing can start a couple of weeks before the last spring frost.

What USDA zone is Wyoming?

Most of Wyoming sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b, with the state spanning roughly 3a-6a from the high mountain basins like Jackson Hole (zone 3a) to the lower southeast plains near Cheyenne (zone 6a). The last spring frost averages late May and the first fall frost mid-September.

Can you grow cauliflower in Wyoming?

Yes. Wyoming's dominant zone 4b supports cauliflower — the key is timing. Cauliflower are half-hardy — young plants shrug off a light frost but not a hard freeze, so sowing can start a couple of weeks before the last spring frost.

Does the planting date change across Wyoming?

the high mountain basins like Jackson Hole (zone 3a) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the lower southeast plains near Cheyenne (zone 6a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

What else can I plant in Wyoming around the same time?

The same early window suits peas, lettuce, spinach, and onion sets.

Source and methodology

State zone spans from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023); frost-date averages from NOAA Climate Data Online. Hot-state two-season timing cross-checked against the UF/IFAS Florida Gardening Calendar and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension planting calendar. Curated by the Growli editorial team.