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When to Plant Broccoli in San Saba 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.

San Saba County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost is November 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 240 days.

At an elevation of 3,436 feet, San Saba County receives approximately 60.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Broccoli during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Broccoli root diseases.

San Saba County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
240 days
Last Spring Frost March 19
240 growing days
First Fall Frost November 14

San Saba County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (141 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: May 10 – Jun 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (135 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 26

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 San Saba County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7โ€“7.3) overlaps with Broccoli's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in San Saba County is excellent for Broccoli โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.0%). Annual compost additions will help 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

4
successive plantings in your 240-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 16 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 05.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Broccoli needs ~1,481 GDD — county provides 4,740 GDD Excellent fit

Broccoli Planting Timeline โ€” San Saba County, TX

Broccoli Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 12 Feb 12 โ€“ Feb 26
Transplant Outdoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Direct Sow March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 26
Fall Sowing September 5 Sep 5 โ€“ Sep 19
Harvest May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jul 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

240 days in San Saba County

Growing Tips for Broccoli in San Saba County

Direct sow Broccoli outdoors after March 19 in San Saba County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Summer highs in San Saba 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 San Saba 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 San Saba County, TX?

San Saba County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 19. Plan your Broccoli planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is San Saba County, TX?

San Saba County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 19 and first fall frost is November 14.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help San Saba 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 San Saba County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.