Cool-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Broccoli in New Hampshire

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 New Hampshire's varied climate. You can direct sow 4 weeks before your last frost — that's as early as May 20 - Jun 5 in Northern New Hampshire. New Hampshire gardeners can also plant a fall crop. Rocky, acidic New England soils. Glacial deposits. Granite bedrock. Raised beds essential in many...

New Hampshire Frost Dates

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

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Northern New Hampshire	3b, 4a, 4b	May 20 - Jun 5	Sep 10 - Sep 25
Southern New Hampshire	5a, 5b, 6a	May 1 - May 20	Sep 25 - Oct 10

Broccoli Planting Schedule for New Hampshire

Northern New Hampshire (Zones 3b, 4a, 4b)

Average last frost: May 20 - Jun 5 · Average first frost: Sep 10 - Sep 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 New Hampshire (Zones 5a, 5b, 6a)

Average last frost: May 1 - May 20 · Average first frost: Sep 25 - Oct 10

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 New Hampshire

Broccoli in New Hampshire's Climate

Broccoli thrives in your cool climate. Spring planting works well — transplant 2-3 weeks before last frost. Unlike warmer regions where heat causes premature bolting, your moderate summer temperatures often allow extended broccoli harvests. Fall broccoli is equally productive. Northern Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin can even grow broccoli through summer in cooler years.

Soil Considerations for New Hampshire

Rocky, acidic New England soils. Glacial deposits. Granite bedrock. Raised beds essential in many areas.

New Hampshire Climate & Growing Season

Short growing season especially in north. Cold winters. Cool summers. Hardy varieties important. Broccoli can handle frost well, which is an advantage in New Hampshire's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.

Growing season length varies across New Hampshire: Northern New Hampshire (3b, 4a, 4b) has a last frost around May 20 - Jun 5, while Southern New Hampshire (5a, 5b, 6a) sees frost end around May 1 - May 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 New Hampshire, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern New Hampshire gardeners should plan around a May 20 - Jun 5 last frost, while those in Southern New Hampshire 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