Broccoli planting calendar for USDA Zone 8a

Wilmington NC, Columbia SC, Atlanta, Dallas, Norfolk. Average last spring frost March 28, first fall frost November 5 — a 222-day frost-free season.

Zone fit: excellent

Broccoli is well suited to Zone 8a. Standard planting dates work with minor adjustments for microclimates.

Key dates

Start seeds indoors

February 7 – February 21

Transplant outdoors

February 28 – March 21

Expected first harvest

May 11 – June 8

Fall planting window

July 23 – August 13

Fall harvest window

October 3 – October 31

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 8a

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 8a

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.

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