When to plant broccoli in zone 6b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 6B

Growing SeasonZone 6b

Last frost ~Apr 20First frost ~Oct 15Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

FEBMARAPRMAYJUNJUL

Start indoors Mar 9 · Transplant Mar 30 · First harvest Jun 18 · Wrap by Jul 16

Last spring frostApr 20

Start seeds indoorsMar 9

Transplant outMar 30

First harvestJun 18

Last harvestJul 16

Fall succession sowJul 16

First fall frostOct 15

Why these dates work in zone 6b

Zone 6b's last spring frost averages Apr 20 and first fall frost Oct 15 — about 178 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 16 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

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

Broccoli matures in about 80–100 days from transplanting. In zone 6b that means setting plants out around Mar 30 and first picking around Jun 18.

Will broccoli survive frost in zone 6b?

Yes — broccoli tolerates light frost. In zone 6b you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around Apr 20) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Oct 15).

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

Yes — in zone 6b there's time for a fall sowing around Jul 16 for a second harvest before frost.

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