When to plant broccoli in zone 3b — planting calendar

Growing SeasonZone 3b

Last frost ~May 6First frost ~Oct 22Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MARAPRMAYJUNJULAUG

Start indoors Mar 25 · Transplant Apr 15 · First harvest Jul 4 · Wrap by Aug 1

Last spring frostMay 6

Start seeds indoorsMar 25

Transplant outApr 15

First harvestJul 4

Last harvestAug 1

Fall succession sowJul 23

First fall frostOct 22

Why these dates work in zone 3b

Zone 3b's last spring frost averages May 6 and first fall frost Oct 22 — about 169 frost-free days. Broccoli tolerates light frost, so you can set plants out ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall. Starting seeds indoors 6 weeks ahead gives strong transplants ready the moment the soil warms. There's also room for a fall succession sowing around Jul 23 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does broccoli take to grow in zone 3b?

Broccoli matures in about 80–100 days from transplanting. In zone 3b that means setting plants out around Apr 15 and first picking around Jul 4.

Will broccoli survive frost in zone 3b?

Yes — broccoli tolerates light frost. In zone 3b you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around May 6) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 22).

Can I plant a second crop of broccoli in zone 3b?

Yes — in zone 3b there's time for a fall sowing around Jul 23 for a second harvest before frost.

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full broccoli growing guide →

View another zone