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When to Plant Broccoli Rabe in Grady County, OK

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

Grady County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.

At an elevation of 599 feet, Grady County receives approximately 29.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Broccoli Rabe during the growing season.

Grady County, OK (Zone 7a) Long season
217 days
Last Spring Frost April 2
217 growing days
First Fall Frost November 5

Grady County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (145 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 14 Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 2 – Jun 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (140 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jun 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (143 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jul 1

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
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 517 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Broccoli Rabe needs ~838 GDD — county provides 3,634 GDD Excellent fit

Broccoli Rabe Planting Timeline โ€” Grady County, OK

Broccoli Rabe Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 12
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Direct Sow March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 9
Fall Sowing August 27 Aug 27 โ€“ Sep 10
Harvest May 14 May 14 โ€“ Jun 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

217 days

Growing Tips for Grady County

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 Grady County, OK?

Grady County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 2. Plan your Broccoli Rabe planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Grady County, OK?

Grady County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and first fall frost is November 5.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Grady County 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 Grady County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.