Cool-season crop
Broccoli Planting Calendar for Spring and Fall
Use spring and fall freeze references to plan broccoli starts and transplants, with spacing, maturity, and heat-stress cautions.
Reviewed by Garden By ZIP Editorial Review ·
- Spacing
- 12–18 in
- Seed depth
- 0.25–0.5 in
- Typical maturity
- 55–85 days
Quick answer
Start broccoli indoors 6–8 weeks before the last spring freeze reference and transplant about 4–2 weeks before it. For fall, count back 10–12 weeks from the first fall freeze reference. The planting calendar calculates both.
Planting methods
Indoor starts and transplants give broccoli time to mature in cool conditions. A fall crop may begin in warm weather, so seedling care and shade can matter.
Spacing, depth, and maturity
Cover seed 1/4–1/2 inch and space plants 12–18 inches. Typical maturity is 55–85 days, depending on whether the packet counts from transplant.
Worked local-calendar example
An April 19 last spring freeze reference produces an indoor window in late February and a transplant window in late March. An October 23 first fall freeze reference points to late July or August planting. Both are examples.
Common mistakes
- Scheduling head formation into strong heat.
- Confusing days from seed with days from transplant.
- Crowding plants and reducing airflow.
Limitations
Heat, variety, buttoning, pests, and transplant quality can outweigh the simple frost offset. Fall success varies sharply by climate.