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When to Plant Broccoli in Ocean County, NJ

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.

Ocean County, New Jersey is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 202 days.

At an elevation of 82 feet, Ocean County receives approximately 44 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Broccoli during the growing season.

Ocean County, NJ (Zone 7b) Long season
202 days
Last Spring Frost April 12
202 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Ocean County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

How Much Broccoli to Grow

1-2 lbs
Average yield per plant
3
Plants per person
6 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 12 broccoli plants in about 24 sq ft. In Ocean County's 202-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Broccoli Planting Timeline — Ocean County, NJ

Broccoli Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 8 Mar 8 – Mar 22
Transplant Outdoors April 12 Apr 12 – Apr 26
Direct Sow March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 19
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 – Jul 26
Fall Sowing August 22 Aug 22 – Sep 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

202 days in Ocean County

Growing Tips for Ocean 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 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 35°F, under 50% humidity.

Isolate 1/2 mile from other brassicas. Biennial — must overwinter roots.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Broccoli in Ocean County, NJ?

Ocean County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Broccoli planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ocean County, NJ?

Ocean County, New Jersey is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is October 31.

🌱

Your Ocean County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Ocean County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.