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SowingDates

When to plant broccoli

Vegetable, hardy

Start indoors 6–8 weeks before the frost-free date and set plants from 4 weeks before the last frost through the frost date. Direct-sow spring crops 2–4 weeks before the last frost and fall crops 10–12 weeks before the first killing frost. Heads are about 60–70 days from transplant; CSU's germination minimum is 40°F and a light frost is fine.

The general rule

Start indoors
6–8 weeks before the last spring frost
Transplant outdoors
0–4 weeks before the last spring frost
Sow outdoors
2–4 weeks before the last spring frost
Sow for fall
10–12 weeks before the first fall frost
Plant when soil reaches
40°F
Days to maturity
60–70 days

What that means in different climates

The same rule applied to the safer frost dates of cities from cold to frost-free.

Broccoli planting dates in example cities
CityLast frost · saferStart indoorsTransplant outdoorsSow outdoorsSow for fall
San Jose, CAJan 23Nov 28 – Dec 12Dec 26 – Jan 23Dec 26 – Jan 9Sep 11 – Sep 25
Tucson, AZMar 2Jan 5 – Jan 19Feb 2 – Mar 2Feb 2 – Feb 16Aug 29 – Sep 12
Portland, ORMar 21Jan 24 – Feb 7Feb 21 – Mar 21Feb 21 – Mar 7Aug 18 – Sep 1
Baltimore, MDApr 4Feb 7 – Feb 21Mar 7 – Apr 4Mar 7 – Mar 21Aug 15 – Aug 29
New York, NYApr 12Feb 15 – Mar 1Mar 15 – Apr 12Mar 15 – Mar 29Aug 14 – Aug 28
Nashville, TNApr 16Feb 19 – Mar 5Mar 19 – Apr 16Mar 19 – Apr 2Jul 26 – Aug 9
Louisville, KYApr 23Feb 26 – Mar 12Mar 26 – Apr 23Mar 26 – Apr 9Jul 29 – Aug 12
Omaha, NEMay 6Mar 11 – Mar 25Apr 8 – May 6Apr 8 – Apr 22Jul 10 – Jul 24
Colorado Springs, COMay 15Mar 20 – Apr 3Apr 17 – May 15Apr 17 – May 1Jul 4 – Jul 18
Miami, FLFrost rareFrost is rare: fall and winter (soil 40°F+).

Sources