Zone 8b covers 47 days of last-frost dates. We measured Fort Worth, TX at Feb 18 and Eugene, OR at Apr 6. 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 8b
Zone 8b's last spring frost averages Mar 6 and first fall frost Nov 22 — about 261 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 23 for a second harvest before frost.
Common questions
How long does broccoli take to grow in zone 8b?
Broccoli matures in about 80–100 days from transplanting. In zone 8b that means setting plants out around Feb 13 and first picking around May 4.
Will broccoli survive frost in zone 8b?
Yes — broccoli tolerates light frost. In zone 8b you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around Mar 6) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 22).
Can I plant a second crop of broccoli in zone 8b?
Yes — in zone 8b there's time for a fall sowing around Aug 23 for a second harvest before frost.
For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full broccoli growing guide →