When to Plant Broccoli in Tennessee
A nutrition powerhouse that thrives in cool weather. Harvest the main head, then enjoy weeks of side shoots.
The Short Answer
Tennessee Frost Dates
Your planting dates depend on which part of Tennessee you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:
| Region | Zones | Last Frost (Spring) | First Frost (Fall) |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Tennessee | 6a, 6b, 7a | Apr 5 - Apr 25 | Oct 10 - Oct 25 |
| Middle Tennessee | 6b, 7a | Apr 5 - Apr 20 | Oct 15 - Nov 1 |
| West Tennessee | 7a, 7b | Mar 25 - Apr 10 | Oct 20 - Nov 5 |
Broccoli Planting Schedule for Tennessee
East Tennessee (Zones 6a, 6b, 7a)
Average last frost: Apr 5 - Apr 25 · Average first frost: Oct 10 - Oct 25
Middle Tennessee (Zones 6b, 7a)
Average last frost: Apr 5 - Apr 20 · Average first frost: Oct 15 - Nov 1
West Tennessee (Zones 7a, 7b)
Average last frost: Mar 25 - Apr 10 · Average first frost: Oct 20 - Nov 5
Growing Broccoli in Tennessee
Broccoli in Tennessee'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 Tennessee
Clay soils over limestone in Middle Tennessee. Rich river bottom soils in west. Rocky mountain soils in east.
Tennessee Climate & Growing Season
Mild four-season climate. Hot, humid summers. Adequate rainfall. Good growing season for wide variety of crops. Broccoli can handle frost well, which is an advantage in Tennessee's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.
Growing season length varies across Tennessee: East Tennessee (6a, 6b, 7a) has a last frost around Apr 5 - Apr 25, while West Tennessee (7a, 7b) sees frost end around Mar 25 - Apr 10. 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:
Keep broccoli away from:
The Bottom Line
Last reviewed: March 29, 2026