WhenToPlantGuide

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When to plant broccoli

Plant broccoli 1–3 weeks before the last spring frost in spring, or 10–13 weeks before the first fall frost for a fall crop. Wait until the soil is at least 45°F. That works out to zone 5b (mid April to late April), zone 7a (late March to early April) and zone 9a (early February to late February).

Broccoli planting dates by zone

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec 2a Start indoors Mar 25 – Apr 8 Plant Apr 29 – May 13 Fall planting Jun 10 – Jul 1 3b Start indoors Mar 22 – Apr 5 Plant Apr 26 – May 10 Fall planting Jun 24 – Jul 15 4a Start indoors Mar 20 – Apr 3 Plant Apr 24 – May 8 Fall planting Jun 27 – Jul 18 4b Start indoors Mar 18 – Apr 1 Plant Apr 22 – May 6 Fall planting Jun 30 – Jul 21 5a Start indoors Mar 16 – Mar 30 Plant Apr 20 – May 4 Fall planting Jul 2 – Jul 23 5b Start indoors Mar 10 – Mar 24 Plant Apr 14 – Apr 28 Fall planting Jul 9 – Jul 30 6a Start indoors Mar 5 – Mar 19 Plant Apr 9 – Apr 23 Fall planting Jul 16 – Aug 6 6b Start indoors Feb 27 – Mar 13 Plant Apr 3 – Apr 17 Fall planting Jul 20 – Aug 10 7a Start indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4 Plant Mar 25 – Apr 8 Fall planting Jul 26 – Aug 16 7b Start indoors Feb 9 – Feb 23 Plant Mar 16 – Mar 30 Fall planting Aug 2 – Aug 23 8a Start indoors Jan 30 – Feb 13 Plant Mar 6 – Mar 20 Fall planting Aug 8 – Aug 29 8b Start indoors Jan 19 – Feb 2 Plant Feb 23 – Mar 9 Fall planting Aug 16 – Sep 6 9a Start indoors Jan 5 – Jan 19 Plant Feb 9 – Feb 23 Fall planting Aug 27 – Sep 17 9b Start indoors Dec 10 – Dec 24 Plant Jan 14 – Jan 28 Fall planting Sep 10 – Oct 1 10a Start indoors Nov 13 – Nov 27 Plant Dec 18 – Jan 1 Fall planting Sep 24 – Oct 15
■ spring planting · ■ fall planting · ■ start seeds indoors. Zones from the USDA 2023 map; dates from NOAA frost normals for the weather stations in each zone.
ZoneSpringFallbroccoli ready from
4a Apr 24 – May 8Jun 27 – Jul 18 Jun 25
4b Apr 22 – May 6Jun 30 – Jul 21 Jun 23
5a Apr 20 – May 4Jul 2 – Jul 23 Jun 21
5b Apr 14 – Apr 28Jul 9 – Jul 30 Jun 15
6a Apr 9 – Apr 23Jul 16 – Aug 6 Jun 10
6b Apr 3 – Apr 17Jul 20 – Aug 10 Jun 4
7a Mar 25 – Apr 8Jul 26 – Aug 16 May 26
7b Mar 16 – Mar 30Aug 2 – Aug 23 May 17
8a Mar 6 – Mar 20Aug 8 – Aug 29 May 7
8b Feb 23 – Mar 9Aug 16 – Sep 6 Apr 26
9a Feb 9 – Feb 23Aug 27 – Sep 17 Apr 12
9b Jan 14 – Jan 28Sep 10 – Oct 1 Mar 17

How to plant broccoli

Plant astransplants
Soil temperature45°F or warmer
DepthSame depth as the pot
Spacing18 in
LightFull sun
Time to harvest55–80 days
Start indoors6–8 weeks before the last frost (zone 6a: Mar 5 – Mar 19; zone 8a: Jan 30 – Feb 13)

Broccoli likes cool weather; heads turn loose and bitter in hot spells.

The fall crop is often better than spring because heads mature in cool weather.

Transplants that are too big or stressed may 'button' into tiny heads.

When to harvest broccoli

Cut the main head when buds are tight and dark green, before any yellow flowers open; side shoots follow for weeks.

Exact dates for your town: planting calendar · frost dates by state.

More vegetables to plant

Tomatoes · Bell peppers · Potatoes · Pumpkins · Cucumbers · Okra · Zucchini · Watermelon