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When to Plant Broccoli in Coryell County, TX

Coryell County, Texas Zone 8b May

Your May planting checklist for Coryell County, Texas

A quick May briefing for Coryell County, Texas gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost March 16
Avg. first frost November 15
Soil temp (4") 63°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Harvest broccoli as they ripen

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: broccoli

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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.

Coryell County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 16 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 244 days.

At an elevation of 3,488 feet, Coryell County receives approximately 65 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 91°F, 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.

Coryell County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
244 days
Last Spring Frost March 16
244 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15
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Coryell County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (145 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: May 7 – Jun 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (139 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Mar 16 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jun 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 24

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 Coryell County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.0–8.3) is more alkaline than Broccoli prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Heavy clay soil (41% clay) in Coryell County compacts easily and drains slowly. Amend with compost and avoid working soil when wet.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). 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 244-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 17 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 06.

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
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Broccoli

Broccoli needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Broccoli Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 6.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 9.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 9.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 7.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Coryell County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Broccoli Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Broccoli needs ~1,369 GDD — county provides 4,453 GDD Excellent fit

Broccoli Planting Timeline — Coryell County, TX

Broccoli Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 9 Feb 9 – Feb 23
Transplant Outdoors March 16 Mar 16 – Mar 30
Direct Sow March 2 Mar 2 – Mar 23
Harvest May 18 May 18 – Jun 29
Fall Sowing September 6 Sep 6 – Sep 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

244 days in Coryell County

Growing Tips for Broccoli in Coryell County

Direct sow Broccoli outdoors after March 16 in Coryell County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Coryell County's clay soil (41% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Broccoli. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Summer highs in Coryell County reach 91°F — 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 Coryell County

Heat-tolerant broccoli — plant as early spring or fall crop

Arcadia Marathon Green Magic

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 Coryell County, TX?

Coryell County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 16. Plan your Broccoli planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Coryell County, TX?

Coryell County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 16 and first fall frost is November 15.

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Your Coryell County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Coryell County (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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

Sources & credits

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