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When to Plant Broccoli in Franklin 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.

Franklin County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.

At an elevation of 1,224 feet, Franklin County receives approximately 47.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Broccoli during the growing season.

Franklin County, AR (Zone 7a) Long season
217 days
Last Spring Frost March 29
217 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Franklin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (115 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 14 Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jul 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jul 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Jul 28

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 171 gal / 100 sq ft
Broccoli needs ~1,312 GDD — county provides 3,797 GDD Excellent fit

Broccoli Planting Timeline โ€” Franklin County, AR

Broccoli Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 22 Feb 22 โ€“ Mar 8
Transplant Outdoors March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 12
Direct Sow March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Apr 5
Fall Sowing August 23 Aug 23 โ€“ Sep 6
Harvest May 31 May 31 โ€“ Jul 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
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 7a

Growing Season

217 days

Growing Tips for Franklin 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 Franklin County, AR?

Franklin County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 29. Plan your Broccoli planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Franklin County, AR?

Franklin County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 29 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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