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When to Plant Broccoli in Montgomery County, TX

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.

Montgomery County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 18 and the first fall frost is December 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 286 days.

At an elevation of 180 feet, Montgomery County receives approximately 62.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Broccoli may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Broccoli will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Broccoli root diseases.

Montgomery County, TX (Zone 8b) Year-round
286 days
Last Spring Frost February 18
286 growing days
First Fall Frost December 1

Montgomery County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (182 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 6 Transplant: Feb 10 🍅 Harvest: Apr 14 – May 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (181 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 14 Transplant: Feb 18 🍅 Harvest: Apr 22 – Jun 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (178 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jun 22

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 233 gal / 100 sq ft
Broccoli needs ~1,650 GDD — county provides 6,314 GDD Excellent fit

Broccoli Planting Timeline โ€” Montgomery County, TX

Broccoli Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 14 Jan 14 โ€“ Jan 28
Transplant Outdoors February 18 Feb 18 โ€“ Mar 4
Direct Sow February 4 Feb 4 โ€“ Feb 25
Fall Sowing September 22 Sep 22 โ€“ Oct 6
Harvest April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ Jun 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
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 8b

Growing Season

286 days

Growing Tips for Montgomery 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 Montgomery County, TX?

Montgomery County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 18. Plan your Broccoli planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Montgomery County, TX?

Montgomery County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 18 and first fall frost is December 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Montgomery County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Montgomery County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.