Cool-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Broccoli in Louisiana

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

The Short Answer

Broccoli are cold-tolerant and do well in Louisiana's humid climate. You can direct sow 4 weeks before your last frost — that's as early as Mar 1 - Mar 15 in Northern Louisiana. Louisiana gardeners can also plant a fall crop. Rich alluvial soils in river valleys. Heavy clay in many areas. Acidic throughout. Sandy in some...

Louisiana Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Louisiana you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Northern Louisiana	8a, 8b	Mar 1 - Mar 15	Nov 10 - Nov 25
Southern Louisiana	9a, 9b	Feb 1 - Feb 20	Dec 1 - Dec 20

Broccoli Planting Schedule for Louisiana

Northern Louisiana (Zones 8a, 8b)

Average last frost: Mar 1 - Mar 15 · Average first frost: Nov 10 - Nov 25

Start Seeds Indoors

6 wks before frost

Transplant Outside

2 wks before frost

Direct Sow

4 wks before frost

Fall Planting

10 wks before first frost

Southern Louisiana (Zones 9a, 9b)

Average last frost: Feb 1 - Feb 20 · Average first frost: Dec 1 - Dec 20

Start Seeds Indoors

6 wks before frost

Transplant Outside

2 wks before frost

Direct Sow

4 wks before frost

Fall Planting

10 wks before first frost

Growing Broccoli in Louisiana

Broccoli in Louisiana's Climate

Broccoli is a cool-season crop in your warm climate. Plant from September through November for fall-winter harvest. The gradually cooling autumn produces sweet, dense heads. Frost-kissed broccoli tastes noticeably better. Choose heat-tolerant varieties like Green Magic that head reliably even when your 'cool season' is warmer than northern states' summers.

Soil Considerations for Louisiana

Rich alluvial soils in river valleys. Heavy clay in many areas. Acidic throughout. Sandy in some coastal areas.

Louisiana Climate & Growing Season

Subtropical. Long growing season. Very hot and humid summers — some crops need shade. Year-round gardening possible. Broccoli can handle frost well, which is an advantage in Louisiana's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.

Growing season length varies across Louisiana: Northern Louisiana (8a, 8b) has a last frost around Mar 1 - Mar 15, while Southern Louisiana (9a, 9b) sees frost end around Feb 1 - Feb 20. This difference matters for broccoli — but broccoli handle frost well, so the timing difference is less critical.

Growing Tips

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

Companion Planting

Plant broccoli alongside these companions for better growth:

Beets Celery Onions Potatoes

Keep broccoli away from:

Tomatoes Peppers Strawberries

The Bottom Line

Broccoli can be grown successfully across Louisiana, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern Louisiana gardeners should plan around a Mar 1 - Mar 15 last frost, while those in Southern Louisiana can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026