🥦When to Plant Broccoli (2026)
Cool-season brassica. Transplant before the last frost for spring crops.
- Type: Cool-season
- Method: Transplant
- Days to harvest: 65
- Spacing: 18" apart
- Sun: Full sun
- Companions: onion, beets, lettuce
Is Broccoli right for your USDA zone?
Broccoli is a cool-season crop, which means it thrives in the mild temperatures of spring and fall. Gardeners in zones 3a through 7b get the longest broccoli season — you can plant in early spring and again in late summer for a fall harvest. In warmer zones (8a-10b), grow broccoli as a winter crop from October through February when temperatures are coolest.
Broccoli needs about 65 days from transplant to harvest, so any zone with at least 79frost-free days can grow it successfully. Check your zone's specific dates in the table below.
How to grow broccoli
Start broccoli seeds indoors about 5 weeks before your last spring frost, then harden off and transplant the seedlings once frost danger has passed. Give each plant 18 inches of room in full sun, and keep the soil consistently moist while seeds germinate and plants establish.
Expect roughly 65 days to your first harvest. Watch for cabbage worm, aphids, the most common pests of broccoli, and scout plants weekly so you can act early. Harvest the central head while buds are still tight and dark green—once they start to yellow or loosen, you have waited too long. After cutting the main head, side shoots will keep producing smaller florets for 4-6 more weeks.
Troubleshooting broccoli
Imported cabbage worms (velvety green caterpillars) chew leaves to skeletons. Check undersides of leaves daily for eggs. Apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray—it is organic and only affects caterpillars.
Growing broccoli in containers
One plant per 5-gallon container minimum. Broccoli is a heavy feeder with an extensive root system—use rich compost and supplement with fish emulsion every 2-3 weeks.
Broccoli planting dates by zone (2026)
| Zone | Start Indoors | Sow / Transplant | Harvest From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3a | Apr 10 | May 1 | Jul 5 |
| Zone 3b | Apr 10 | May 1 | Jul 5 |
| Zone 4a | Apr 5 | Apr 26 | Jun 30 |
| Zone 4b | Mar 31 | Apr 21 | Jun 25 |
| Zone 5a | Mar 26 | Apr 16 | Jun 20 |
| Zone 5b | Mar 21 | Apr 11 | Jun 15 |
| Zone 6a | Mar 16 | Apr 6 | Jun 10 |
| Zone 6b | Mar 11 | Apr 1 | Jun 5 |
| Zone 7a | Mar 6 | Mar 27 | May 31 |
| Zone 7b | Mar 1 | Mar 22 | May 26 |
| Zone 8a | Feb 18 | Mar 11 | May 15 |
| Zone 8b | Feb 8 | Mar 1 | May 5 |
| Zone 9a | Jan 21 | Feb 11 | Apr 17 |
| Zone 9b | Jan 6 | Jan 27 | Apr 2 |
| Zone 10a | Dec 27 | Jan 17 | Mar 23 |
| Zone 10b | Dec 11 | Jan 1 | Mar 7 |
Broccoli planting FAQ
When is the best time to plant broccoli?
Broccoli is a cool-season crop. Plant it in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked, and again in late summer for a fall harvest. It tolerates light frost. Find the exact date for your USDA zone in the table below.
How long does broccoli take to grow?
Broccoli takes about 65 days from transplant to first harvest. Starting seeds indoors 5 weeks before your last frost gives the plants a head start.
How far apart should I space broccoli?
Space broccoli about 18 inches apart in full sun. Proper spacing gives roots room to spread and improves airflow, which reduces disease.
What is the best growing tip for broccoli?
Harvest the central head while buds are still tight and dark green—once they start to yellow or loosen, you have waited too long. After cutting the main head, side shoots will keep producing smaller florets for 4-6 more weeks.
What are common problems with broccoli?
Imported cabbage worms (velvety green caterpillars) chew leaves to skeletons. Check undersides of leaves daily for eggs. Apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray—it is organic and only affects caterpillars.
Can I grow broccoli in a container?
One plant per 5-gallon container minimum. Broccoli is a heavy feeder with an extensive root system—use rich compost and supplement with fish emulsion every 2-3 weeks.
Can I plant broccoli for a second harvest?
Yes—start fall broccoli seeds indoors in early to mid-July in zones 5+. Fall crops often outperform spring ones because heads mature in cooling weather rather than warming weather.
What grows well with broccoli?
Good companion plants for broccoli are onion, beets, lettuce. Companion planting can deter pests and make better use of garden space. Rotate where you plant broccoli each year to keep soil healthy.