When to plant broccoli in zone 8a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 8A

Growing SeasonZone 8a

Last frost ~Mar 25First frost ~Nov 10Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

FEBMARAPRMAYJUN

Start indoors Feb 11 · Transplant Mar 4 · First harvest May 23 · Wrap by Jun 20

Last spring frostMar 25

Start seeds indoorsFeb 11

Transplant outMar 4

First harvestMay 23

Last harvestJun 20

Fall succession sowAug 11

First fall frostNov 10

Why these dates work in zone 8a

Zone 8a's last spring frost averages Mar 25 and first fall frost Nov 10 — about 230 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 11 for a second harvest before frost.

Common questions

How long does broccoli take to grow in zone 8a?

Broccoli matures in about 80–100 days from transplanting. In zone 8a that means setting plants out around Mar 4 and first picking around May 23.

Will broccoli survive frost in zone 8a?

Yes — broccoli tolerates light frost. In zone 8a you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around Mar 25) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 10).

Can I plant a second crop of broccoli in zone 8a?

Yes — in zone 8a there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 11 for a second harvest before frost.

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