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When to Plant Broccoli in Columbiana County, OH

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.

Columbiana County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.

At an elevation of 1,265 feet, Columbiana County receives approximately 41.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Broccoli during the growing season.

Columbiana County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
171 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
171 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Columbiana County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 17 Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 4

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
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 431 gal / 100 sq ft
Broccoli needs ~1,031 GDD — county provides 2,351 GDD Excellent fit

Broccoli Planting Timeline โ€” Columbiana County, OH

Broccoli Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 9
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14
Direct Sow April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ May 7
Fall Sowing August 9 Aug 9 โ€“ Aug 23
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Aug 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September โ€”
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 5b

Growing Season

171 days

Growing Tips for Columbiana 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 Columbiana County, OH?

Columbiana County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Broccoli planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Columbiana County, OH?

Columbiana County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Columbiana County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Columbiana County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.