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When to Plant Broccoli in Coffee County, TN

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.

Coffee County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 195 days.

At an elevation of 1,710 feet, Coffee County receives approximately 45.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Broccoli during the growing season.

Coffee County, TN (Zone 7a) Moderate season
195 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
195 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Coffee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Jul 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 6

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
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 55 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Broccoli needs ~1,538 GDD — county provides 3,997 GDD Excellent fit

Broccoli Planting Timeline โ€” Coffee County, TN

Broccoli Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 7 Mar 7 โ€“ Mar 21
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ Apr 25
Direct Sow March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 18
Fall Sowing August 14 Aug 14 โ€“ Aug 28
Harvest June 13 Jun 13 โ€“ Jul 25

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 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 7a

Growing Season

195 days

Growing Tips for Coffee 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 Coffee County, TN?

Coffee County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Broccoli planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Coffee County, TN?

Coffee County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Coffee County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Coffee County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.