When to Plant Broccoli in USDA Zone 6b
Zone 6b gardeners: here's your May plan
Welcome to May in Zone 6b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
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Start broccoli under lights
Give them 6–8 weeks indoors before the last frost and you'll transplant into warm soil with seedlings that are already leaping.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- First harvests: broccoli
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.
In Zone 6b, the average last spring frost is around April 3 and the first fall frost is around October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.
Broccoli Planting Timeline — Zone 6b
Where Is USDA Zone 6b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 6b. Click any state to see the Broccoli planting schedule for that location.
Broccoli Planting Calendar — Zone 6b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 27 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 3 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Direct Sow | March 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 10 |
| Harvest | June 5 | Jun 5 – Jul 17 |
| Fall Sowing | August 16 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 6b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 6b with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
60–90 days
Soil pH
6 – 7
Zone Temperature Range
°F to °F average annual minimum
Growing Season
205 days (Zone average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 1 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 15 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 24 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Broccoli in Zone
Sow every 6.9 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Broccoli in Zone
Zone has a short growing season (~205 days). Start Broccoli indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
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
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
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Saving Broccoli Seeds
Isolate 1/2 mile from other brassicas. Biennial — must overwinter roots.
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Related Plants
Broccoli in Other Zones
Broccoli by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Broccoli in Zone 6b?
In Zone 6b, plan your Broccoli planting around the average last frost date of April 3. Start seeds indoors around February 27. Direct sow outdoors around March 20. Transplant seedlings around April 3.
Can Broccoli grow in Zone 6b?
Yes, Broccoli can grow well in Zone 6b, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 6b has a growing season of approximately 205 days, which is sufficient for Broccoli (60-90 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Broccoli in Zone 6b?
In Zone 6b, expect to harvest Broccoli from June 5 – July 17. Broccoli takes 60-90 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 6b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 6b is around April 3, and the first fall frost is around October 25. This gives a growing season of approximately 205 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Broccoli?
Good companion plants for Broccoli include Celery, Onion, Potatoes, Dill. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Free Printable Garden Planner
A 24-page printable planner tailored to your zone. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.