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When to Plant Broccoli in Lincoln County, MS

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.

Lincoln County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 243 days.

At an elevation of 138 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 60.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Broccoli during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Broccoli, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Broccoli root diseases.

Lincoln County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
243 days
Last Spring Frost March 14
243 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Lincoln County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (136 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Mar 7 🍅 Harvest: May 9 – Jun 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jun 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 24

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Broccoli needs ~1,538 GDD — county provides 4,981 GDD Excellent fit

Broccoli Planting Timeline โ€” Lincoln County, MS

Broccoli Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 7 Feb 7 โ€“ Feb 21
Transplant Outdoors March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Mar 28
Direct Sow February 28 Feb 28 โ€“ Mar 21
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Sep 17
Harvest May 16 May 16 โ€“ Jun 27

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 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

243 days

Growing Tips for Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, MS?

Lincoln County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Broccoli planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lincoln County, MS?

Lincoln County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lincoln County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Lincoln County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.