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When to Plant Broccoli in Glenn County, CA

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.

Glenn County, California is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 267 days.

At an elevation of 270 feet, Glenn County receives approximately 27.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Broccoli during the growing season.

Glenn County, CA (Zone 9a) Long season
267 days
Last Spring Frost March 6
267 growing days
First Fall Frost November 28

Glenn County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (165 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 26 Transplant: Feb 23 🍅 Harvest: Apr 27 – Jun 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (162 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jun 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (140 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 21 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 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
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.4″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,636 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Broccoli needs ~1,200 GDD — county provides 4,272 GDD Excellent fit

Broccoli Planting Timeline โ€” Glenn County, CA

Broccoli Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 6 Feb 6 โ€“ Feb 20
Transplant Outdoors March 6 Mar 6 โ€“ Mar 20
Direct Sow February 13 Feb 13 โ€“ Mar 6
Fall Sowing October 3 Oct 3 โ€“ Oct 17
Harvest May 8 May 8 โ€“ Jun 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October Fall Sowing
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 9a

Growing Season

267 days

Growing Tips for Glenn 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 Glenn County, CA?

Glenn County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 6. Plan your Broccoli planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Glenn County, CA?

Glenn County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Glenn County gardeners in Zone 9a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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 Glenn County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.