When to plant broccoli in zone 6a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 6A

Growing SeasonZone 6a

Last frost ~Apr 30First frost ~Oct 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

MARAPRMAYJUNJULAUG

Start indoors Mar 19 · Transplant Apr 9 · First harvest Jun 28 · Wrap by Jul 26

Last spring frostApr 30

Start seeds indoorsMar 19

Transplant outApr 9

First harvestJun 28

Last harvestJul 26

Fall succession sowJul 11

First fall frostOct 10

Why these dates work in zone 6a

Zone 6a's last spring frost averages Apr 30 and first fall frost Oct 10 — about 163 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 11 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does broccoli take to grow in zone 6a?

Broccoli matures in about 80–100 days from transplanting. In zone 6a that means setting plants out around Apr 9 and first picking around Jun 28.

Will broccoli survive frost in zone 6a?

Yes — broccoli tolerates light frost. In zone 6a you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around Apr 30) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 10).

Can I plant a second crop of broccoli in zone 6a?

Yes — in zone 6a there's time for a fall sowing around Jul 11 for a second harvest before frost.

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