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When to Plant Broccoli in Williamson 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.

Williamson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost is November 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 262 days.

At an elevation of 1,023 feet, Williamson County receives approximately 53.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Broccoli during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Broccoli, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Broccoli root diseases.

Williamson County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
262 days
Last Spring Frost March 5
262 growing days
First Fall Frost November 22

Williamson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7.1-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (159 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 17 Transplant: Feb 21 🍅 Harvest: Apr 25 – Jun 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (157 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: May 7 – Jun 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (145 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 20

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Broccoli needs ~1,538 GDD — county provides 5,371 GDD Excellent fit

Broccoli Planting Timeline โ€” Williamson County, TX

Broccoli Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 29 Jan 29 โ€“ Feb 12
Transplant Outdoors March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 19
Direct Sow February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 12
Fall Sowing September 13 Sep 13 โ€“ Sep 27
Harvest May 7 May 7 โ€“ Jun 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Season

262 days

Growing Tips for Williamson 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 Williamson County, TX?

Williamson County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 5. Plan your Broccoli planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Williamson County, TX?

Williamson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 5 and first fall frost is November 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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