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When to Plant Broccoli in Jim Hogg County, TX

Jim Hogg County, Texas Zone 9b May

This month in Jim Hogg County, Texas

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Jim Hogg County, Texas this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost February 16
Avg. first frost December 5
Soil temp (4") 66°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.3 hrs
  1. Pick broccoli

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

Looking ahead to June
  • 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.

Jim Hogg County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 16 and the first fall frost is December 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 292 days.

At an elevation of 4,270 feet, Jim Hogg County receives approximately 59.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 96°F, so Broccoli may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Broccoli root diseases.

Jim Hogg County, TX (Zone 9b) Year-round
292 days
Last Spring Frost February 16
292 growing days
First Fall Frost December 5
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Jim Hogg County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (198 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 29 Transplant: Jan 26 🍅 Harvest: Mar 30 – May 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (187 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 19 Transplant: Feb 16 🍅 Harvest: Apr 20 – Jun 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (175 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jun 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.

Soil Compatibility in Jim Hogg County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.3) overlaps with Broccoli's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Jim Hogg County is excellent for Broccoli — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.9%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Broccoli.

How to Plant Broccoli

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 8 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Broccoli

5
successive plantings in your 292-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 06 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Oct 10.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 387 gal / 100 sq ft

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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Mar 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 6.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 9.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 10.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 6.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 6.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 5.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in Jim Hogg 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 ~1,650 GDD — county provides 6,446 GDD Excellent fit

Broccoli Planting Timeline — Jim Hogg County, TX

Broccoli Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 19 Jan 19 – Feb 2
Transplant Outdoors February 16 Feb 16 – Mar 2
Direct Sow January 26 Jan 26 – Feb 16
Harvest April 20 Apr 20 – Jun 1
Fall Sowing October 10 Oct 10 – Oct 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

292 days in Jim Hogg County

Growing Tips for Broccoli in Jim Hogg County

Direct sow Broccoli outdoors after February 16 in Jim Hogg County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Summer highs in Jim Hogg County reach 96°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 Jim Hogg 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 Jim Hogg County, TX?

Jim Hogg County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 16. Plan your Broccoli planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jim Hogg County, TX?

Jim Hogg County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 16 and first fall frost is December 5.

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Your Jim Hogg County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Jim Hogg County (Zone 9b). 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 Jim Hogg 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.