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When to Plant Broccoli in Butler County, KY

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.

Butler County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.

At an elevation of 2,221 feet, Butler County receives approximately 48.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Broccoli during the growing season.

Butler County, KY (Zone 6b) Long season
205 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
205 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Butler County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-7

Drainage

Well Drained

How Much Broccoli to Grow

1-2 lbs
Average yield per plant
3
Plants per person
6 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 12 broccoli plants in about 24 sq ft. In Butler County's 205-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Monthly Watering Guide for Broccoli

Broccoli needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Broccoli Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 4.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 3.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 4.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.3" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 3.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Butler County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Broccoli Planting Timeline โ€” Butler County, KY

Broccoli Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 โ€“ Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 20
Direct Sow March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 13
Harvest June 8 Jun 8 โ€“ Jul 20
Fall Sowing August 19 Aug 19 โ€“ Sep 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

205 days in Butler County

Growing Tips for Butler 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

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 Butler County, KY?

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

What planting zone is Butler County, KY?

Butler County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Butler County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Butler County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.