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When to Plant Broccoli in Potter 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.

Potter County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.

At an elevation of 3,438 feet, Potter County receives approximately 52.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Broccoli during the growing season. 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.

Potter County, TX (Zone 7a) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Potter County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.4-8.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (87 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 15

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.

Soil Compatibility in Potter County

How your county's soil matches Broccoli's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.4โ€“8.7) is more alkaline than Broccoli prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Potter County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Broccoli will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Broccoli.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (0.9%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Broccoli.

How to Plant Broccoli

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Broccoli

3
successive plantings in your 192-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 26 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 15.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 320 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Broccoli needs ~1,481 GDD — county provides 3,792 GDD Excellent fit

Broccoli Planting Timeline โ€” Potter County, TX

Broccoli Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 11 Mar 11 โ€“ Mar 25
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ Apr 29
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 22
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Aug 29
Harvest June 17 Jun 17 โ€“ Jul 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

192 days in Potter County

Growing Tips for Broccoli in Potter County

Direct sow Broccoli outdoors after April 15 in Potter County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Potter County dries quickly โ€” mulch Broccoli with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Summer highs in Potter County reach 93ยฐF โ€” grow Broccoli as a spring or fall crop. Use shade cloth if planting in summer.

Common pests for Broccoli in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Provide consistent moisture to prevent hollow stems. Harvest heads before yellow flowers appear.

Recommended Broccoli Varieties for Potter County

Heat-tolerant broccoli โ€” plant as early spring or fall crop

Arcadia Marathon Green Magic

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 Potter County, TX?

Potter County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Broccoli planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Potter County, TX?

Potter County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Potter County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Potter County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.