Cool-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Broccoli

A nutrition powerhouse that thrives in cool weather. Harvest the main head, then enjoy weeks of side shoots.

Sun

Full sun (6-8 hours)

Water

1-1.5 inches per week

Days to Harvest

55-80

Difficulty

intermediate

Spacing

18"

Frost Tolerance

high

The Short Answer

Broccoli are cold-tolerant and actually prefer cooler growing conditions. You can direct sow seeds 4 weeks before your last frost date — one of the earliest crops you can plant. Or start seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost for an even earlier harvest. Enter your zip code on our homepage tool for exact dates.

How to Grow Broccoli

Broccoli's tight green head is actually a cluster of unopened flower buds — harvest timing is critical because once those buds start to open (you'll see yellow petals peeking through), the eating quality drops fast. Cut the main head with 5-6 inches of stem attached, then leave the plant in place: side shoots will continue producing smaller but equally delicious florets for weeks. Fall broccoli is superior to spring in most climates because the gradually cooling temperatures favor tight head formation without the bolting risk of warming spring days.

Starting Seeds Indoors

Begin broccoli seeds indoors 6 weeks before your average last frost date. Seeds need soil temperatures of at least 40°F to germinate, which typically takes 5-10 days. Provide 12 hours of light per day using a south-facing window or grow lights.

Transplanting

Move seedlings outside 2 weeks before your last frost date, once soil temperatures reach 40°F. Harden off seedlings for 7 days before transplanting by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions.

Direct Sowing

Broccoli can be direct sown 4 weeks before your last frost date. Plant seeds 0.25" deep, spaced 18" apart.

Fall Planting

Broccoli are planted in fall, 10 weeks before your average first frost date. Plant 0.25" deep, 18" apart.

Growing Tips

Harvest main head while buds are tight. Side shoots will continue producing for weeks after the main harvest.

Companion Planting

Good companions:

Beets Celery Onions Potatoes

Keep away from:

Tomatoes Peppers Strawberries

Broccoli Planting Dates by State

Click your state for broccoli planting dates specific to your location:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Note: Planting dates are based on average frost dates from NOAA Climate Normals (30-year averages). Actual conditions vary year to year. Always check your local forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026