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When to Plant Broccoli in Cleveland County, AR

Broccoli is a nutrient-dense cool-season crop that produces large central heads followed by smaller side shoots. It is one of the most popular garden vegetables.

Cleveland County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 17 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 234 days.

At an elevation of 370 feet, Cleveland County receives approximately 49.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Broccoli during the growing season.

Cleveland County, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
234 days
Last Spring Frost March 17
234 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Cleveland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (130 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 3 Transplant: Mar 10 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jun 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jun 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 21

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 274 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Broccoli needs ~1,312 GDD — county provides 4,095 GDD Excellent fit

Broccoli Planting Timeline โ€” Cleveland County, AR

Broccoli Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 10 Feb 10 โ€“ Feb 24
Transplant Outdoors March 17 Mar 17 โ€“ Mar 31
Direct Sow March 3 Mar 3 โ€“ Mar 24
Fall Sowing August 28 Aug 28 โ€“ Sep 11
Harvest May 19 May 19 โ€“ Jun 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
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

60โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 8a

Growing Season

234 days

Growing Tips for Cleveland County

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Provide consistent moisture to prevent hollow stems. Harvest heads before yellow flowers appear.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes
  • Strawberries

Level Up Your Garden

๐ŸŒพ Save Your Own Broccoli Seeds
Life Cycle Biennial
Pollination Cross-Pollinated (insects)
How to Collect Allow plants to flower 2nd year; collect dry pods.
Storage Store airtight; viable 5 years at 35ยฐF, under 50% humidity.

Isolate 1/2 mile from other brassicas. Biennial โ€” must overwinter roots.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Broccoli in Cleveland County, AR?

Cleveland County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 17. Plan your Broccoli planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cleveland County, AR?

Cleveland County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 17 and first fall frost is November 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cleveland County gardeners in Zone 8a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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