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When to Plant Broccoli Rabe in Juneau City and Borough, AK

Broccoli rabe (rapini) is a brassica grown for its slightly bitter, nutty-flavored florets, leaves, and stems. It is a staple in Italian cooking.

Juneau City and Borough, Alaska is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 152 days.

At an elevation of 930 feet, Juneau City and Borough receives approximately 35.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 57ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Broccoli Rabe to ensure they mature before fall.

Juneau City and Borough, AK (Zone 7a) Moderate season
152 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
152 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Juneau City and Borough Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 12 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 2

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 15 gal / 100 sq ft
Broccoli Rabe needs ~0 GDD — county provides 0 GDD May not mature

Broccoli Rabe Planting Timeline โ€” Juneau City and Borough, AK

Broccoli Rabe Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 12
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 โ€“ May 17
Direct Sow April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ May 10
Fall Sowing July 24 Jul 24 โ€“ Aug 7
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 โ€“ Jul 19

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Fall Sowing
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

40โ€“60 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

152 days

Growing Tips for Juneau City and Borough

Direct sow in spring or fall. Harvest when small yellow flower buds first appear but before they open. Cut the main shoot first to encourage side shoots.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Broccoli Rabe in Juneau City and Borough, AK?

Juneau City and Borough is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Broccoli Rabe planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Juneau City and Borough, AK?

Juneau City and Borough, Alaska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Juneau City and Borough gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Juneau City and Borough, AK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.