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When to Plant Broccoli in Shackelford 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.

Shackelford County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 226 days.

At an elevation of 4,145 feet, Shackelford County receives approximately 59.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Broccoli during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Broccoli root diseases.

Shackelford County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
226 days
Last Spring Frost March 30
226 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Shackelford County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (122 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (121 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jul 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 30

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Broccoli needs ~1,256 GDD — county provides 3,785 GDD Excellent fit

Broccoli Planting Timeline โ€” Shackelford County, TX

Broccoli Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 9
Transplant Outdoors March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 13
Direct Sow March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Apr 6
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Sep 16
Harvest June 1 Jun 1 โ€“ Jul 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
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 7b

Growing Season

226 days

Growing Tips for Shackelford 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 Shackelford County, TX?

Shackelford County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 30. Plan your Broccoli planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Shackelford County, TX?

Shackelford County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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