When to plant broccoli
Short answer
Plant broccoli about 2 weeks before your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Apr 1, starting seeds indoors about Mar 4. Enter your ZIP for your exact dates.
| Climate zone | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Dec 4 | Jan 1 | Mar 7 |
| Zone 2 | Jan 4 | Feb 1 | Apr 7 |
| Zone 3 | Jan 27 | Feb 24 | Apr 30 |
| Zone 4 | Feb 16 | Mar 16 | May 20 |
| Zone 5 | Mar 4 | Apr 1 | Jun 5 |
| Zone 6 | Mar 19 | Apr 16 | Jun 20 |
| Zone 7 | Apr 3 | May 1 | Jul 5 |
| Zone 8 | Apr 20 | May 18 | Jul 22 |
Higher climate-zone numbers are colder, so planting shifts later. Broccoli is a semi-hardy crop. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for your exact zone and dates.
What sets the timing for broccoli
When to plant broccoli comes down to one date: your last spring frost. Broccoli is a semi-hardy crop, so it goes in about 2 weeks before your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Apr 1.
Give it a head start: sow seeds indoors about 6 weeks before your last spring frost (around Mar 4 in zone 5), then move seedlings out once conditions are right. From there it's roughly 65 days to harvest.
Because that anchor date moves with climate, plant-out for broccoli ranges from about Feb 24 in warm zone 3 to May 1 in cold zone 7. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for the exact dates in your zone.
What sets the timing
| Factor | Effect on timing |
|---|---|
| Frost anchor | Timing counts from your last spring frost |
| Hardiness | Broccoli is semi-hardy — it goes in before the last frost |
| Indoor start | Start seeds 6 weeks before your last spring frost |
| Days to harvest | About 65 days from planting to harvest |
| Climate zone | Higher (colder) zones push plant-out later; warmer zones let you start sooner |
| Soil & weather | Tolerates cool soil and light frost |
How broccoli compares
Plant-out date in a mid climate (zone 5), against an early hardy crop and a late tender one.
| Crop | Plant outside (zone 5) |
|---|---|
| Peas (hardy · plants early) | Mar 11 |
| Broccoli | Apr 1 |
| Tomatoes (tender · plants late) | Apr 29 |
Tips for growing broccoli
- Start broccoli early — it tolerates cool soil and a light frost, so you can plant before your last spring frost.
- Give broccoli a 6 weeks indoor head start under a bright light before transplanting.
- Count roughly 65 days from planting to harvest, and stagger sowings a few weeks apart for a longer picking window.
- Enter your ZIP in the calculator for broccoli dates tuned to your exact climate zone.
Your exact dates
Open the planting calendarOther crops
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant broccoli?
Plant broccoli about 2 weeks before your last spring frost. In a warmer zone 4 that's around Mar 16; in a colder zone 6, Apr 16.
When do I start broccoli seeds indoors?
Start broccoli seeds indoors about 6 weeks before your last frost, then transplant after the frost passes. That's roughly Mar 19 in zone 6.
How long until broccoli is ready to harvest?
About 65 days from planting until first harvest. In zone 6, broccoli planted around Apr 16 is typically ready near Jun 20.