When Should You Plant Broccoli?
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GardenSays
Start broccoli seeds indoors Feb 17 – Mar 3, transplant outside Apr 7 – Apr 14.
- Start seeds indoors
- Feb 17 – Mar 3
- Transplant outside
- Apr 7 – Apr 14
- Last frost (typ.)
- May 5
In Minneapolis, MN, the typical last frost lands around May 5. Working back 9-11 weeks from transplant time gives you a seed-starting window of Feb 17 – Mar 3 indoors. Broccoli plants are tolerant of light frost, so they can go out Apr 7-Apr 14, even before the frost date.
- This year's transplant window (Apr 7 – Apr 14) has passed — dates shown are for planning next season.
Do this this week
- 1.Passed for this season — plan next spring: start seeds indoors ~Feb 17 – Mar 3, transplant ~Apr 7 – Apr 14
Calculated result · 4 verified sources · Checked 2026-07-17 · How we decide
Why
That leaves roughly 174 days of growing season before the typical first fall frost (Oct 5) — enough for most varieties. In a short-season area, favor early-maturing varieties (check the days-to-maturity on the tag).
- Frost kills tender seedlings outright, and cold soil stunts them even without frost — both dates matter.
- The 50% frost date is a planning midpoint: a late frost is still possible, so keep covers handy for the first two weeks.
When this doesn't apply
- Fall broccoli (transplanted late June-early August in the Midwest) often heads better in cooling weather than the spring crop.
- Season extenders (row covers, walls of water, cold frames) let you plant 2-3 weeks earlier than these windows.
- Frost dates are area averages — low spots and valley floors run colder than the local average.
How this was calculated
- 1. Last spring frostMay 5Source guidance
Minneapolis, MN: typical (50% probability) last 32°F frost
- 2. Seed starting windowFeb 17 – Mar 3Calculated result
Broccoli: start indoors 9-11 weeks before your typical transplant date
- 3. Transplant windowApr 7 – Apr 14Calculated result
Broccoli is tolerant of light frost: go out 21-28 days before the last frost, once soil has warmed
- 4. First fall frostOct 5Source guidance
Minneapolis, MN: typical first 32°F frost in fall — the season's endpoint
Data sources
- University of Maryland Extension — Growing Broccoli in a Home Garden — Set out 5-7 week transplants 4 weeks before the last spring frost; spacing 16-24 in-row x 24-30 between rows; full sun (6+ hrs, prefers 8-10); 55-65 days from transplanting; cut the central head before flowers open (3-8 inches); keep the root zone moist, water more when heads develop. (checked 2026-07-17)
- Iowa State University Extension — Growing Broccoli in the Home Garden — Cole crops have shallow roots and require weekly irrigation if rainfall doesn't provide one inch of water per week; use soaker hoses or drip to keep foliage dry. Broccoli is typically ready 60-75 days after transplanting; harvest when the head is fully developed but before yellow flower buds open. (checked 2026-07-17)
- NOAA NCEI — 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals (freeze date probabilities) (checked 2026-07-15)
- National Gardening Association — frost date lookup (checked 2026-07-15)
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Space broccoli for full central heads in rows or raised beds
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