Zone 6a covers 28 days of last-frost dates. We measured Omaha, NE at Apr 14 and Flagstaff, AZ at May 12. Give us your town or ZIP and we'll use ten years of daily lows recorded at your own coordinates instead of the middle of that range.
Why these dates work in zone 6a
Zone 6a's last spring frost averages Apr 22 and first fall frost Nov 1 — about 193 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 Aug 2 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 1 and first picking around Jun 20.
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 22) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 1).
Can I plant a second crop of broccoli in zone 6a?
Yes — in zone 6a there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 2 for a second harvest before frost.
For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full broccoli growing guide →