Broccoli planting calendar for USDA Zone 6a

Western NC mountains, southern PA, central OH, northern MO. Average last spring frost May 1, first fall frost October 1 — a 153-day frost-free season.

Zone fit: excellent
Broccoli is well suited to Zone 6a. Standard planting dates work with minor adjustments for microclimates.

Key dates

Start seeds indoors
March 13 – March 27
Transplant outdoors
April 3 – April 24
Expected first harvest
June 14 – July 12
Fall planting window
June 18 – July 9
Fall harvest window
August 29 – September 26

Windows are calculated from your zone's average frost dates. Adjust ±1 week for microclimates, elevation, and your own frost records.

Spacing and soil

Plant spacing
18″
Row spacing
30″
Seed depth
0.25″
Soil temperature
55–75°F
Frost tolerance
hardy
Days to harvest
65 days

Grower notes for Zone 6a

Harvest the central head while buds are still tight; side shoots continue for 4–6 weeks after main cut.

Plant near: onions, beets, chamomile

Keep away from: tomatoes, strawberries

Other brassicas for Zone 6a

Same crop, other zones

Track your own plantings

BAU Farm Intelligence turns these windows into per-field tasks — indoor seed-start reminders, transplant dates, harvest projections — using your farm's actual frost history.