When to plant broccoli
Broccoli tolerates light frost, so start seeds indoors 6–10 weeks before your last frost; transplant from 2 weeks before the last frost up to the frost date; for a fall crop, transplant 10–12 weeks before the first fall frost. Plant when the soil is at least 45°F.
Broccoli dates for Columbus, Ohio (example)
Example dates. Enter your ZIP above for your own.
| Start indoors | Feb 9 – Mar 9 |
|---|---|
| Transplant outside | Apr 6–20 |
| Transplant for fall | Aug 1–15 |
| Last planting for a harvest before frost | Aug 12 |
| Soil temperature | 45°F or warmer |
| Days to harvest | 55–80 |
| Spacing | 18 in apart |
Your broccoli year
- Start indoors
- Transplant outside
- Transplant for fall
Average last frost Apr 20, first frost Oct 24.
Growing tips for broccoli
- Broccoli heads best when it matures in cool weather, which is why fall crops are often larger.
- Cut the main head with a slanted stem and side shoots will keep coming for weeks.
- Seedlings exposed to a long cold snap can "button" into tiny heads; harden off gradually.
Work out indoor sowing for everything at once with the seed starting calculator.
When to plant broccoli in major cities
Calculated from each city's NOAA 1991–2020 average frost dates.
| City | Zone | Transplant | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 7b | Mar 16–30 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Chicago, IL | 6b | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Aug 13–27 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 10b | Jan 11–25 | Sep 22 – Oct 6 |
| Houston, TX | 9b | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Oct 2–16 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 10a | Dec 22 – Jan 5 | Oct 11–25 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 7b | Mar 16–30 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Dallas, TX | 8b | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Sep 6–20 |
| Atlanta, GA | 8a | Mar 10–24 | Aug 16–30 |
| Seattle, WA | 9a | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Denver, CO | 6a | Apr 16–30 | Jul 20 – Aug 3 |
| Boston, MA | 7a | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Aug 17–31 |
| Minneapolis, MN | 5a | Apr 9–23 | Jul 24 – Aug 7 |
| Kansas City, MO | 6b | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Aug 10–24 |
| Nashville, TN | 7b | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Aug 8–22 |
| Portland, OR | 9a | Feb 11–25 | Sep 8–22 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 7b | Mar 17–31 | Aug 16–30 |
| Columbus, OH | 6b | Apr 6–20 | Aug 1–15 |
| Charlotte, NC | 8a | Mar 16–30 | Aug 11–25 |
| Detroit, MI | 6b | Apr 7–21 | Aug 8–22 |
| Raleigh, NC | 8a | Mar 14–28 | Aug 16–30 |
Broccoli planting FAQ
When should I plant broccoli?
Broccoli tolerates light frost, so start seeds indoors 6–10 weeks before your last frost; transplant from 2 weeks before the last frost up to the frost date; for a fall crop, transplant 10–12 weeks before the first fall frost. Plant when the soil is at least 45°F.
How many days until broccoli is ready to harvest?
Most broccoli varieties take about 55–80 days from transplanting. Check the seed packet: early varieties are at the low end.
Can broccoli survive frost?
A light frost, yes; a hard freeze below about 28°F can damage them. Cover young plants on very cold nights.
How far apart should I plant broccoli?
Space broccoli 18 in apart.
What is the last date I can plant broccoli?
Count the variety's days to maturity back from your first fall frost, allowing a week or two extra because broccoli tolerates light frost. Enter your ZIP code on this page and Seasonwise calculates the date for you.
Ask about growing broccoli
Enter your ZIP above first and answers will use your local frost dates. Written by an AI model; double-check anything important.