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When to Plant Broccoli in Throckmorton 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.

Throckmorton County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 223 days.

At an elevation of 4,952 feet, Throckmorton County receives approximately 60.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Broccoli during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Broccoli root diseases.

Throckmorton County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
223 days
Last Spring Frost March 31
223 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Throckmorton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 14 Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jul 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jul 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 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 Throckmorton County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“7.2) overlaps with Broccoli's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Throckmorton County is excellent for Broccoli โ€” 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 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Broccoli

4
successive plantings in your 223-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 11 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 31.

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

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 โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 2.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Apr 4.3" 5.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 8.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 11.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 7.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.3" 2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Throckmorton County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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 ~1,256 GDD — county provides 3,735 GDD Excellent fit

Broccoli Planting Timeline โ€” Throckmorton County, TX

Broccoli Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 24 Feb 24 โ€“ Mar 10
Transplant Outdoors March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 14
Direct Sow March 17 Mar 17 โ€“ Apr 7
Harvest June 2 Jun 2 โ€“ Jul 14
Fall Sowing August 31 Aug 31 โ€“ Sep 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

223 days in Throckmorton County

Growing Tips for Broccoli in Throckmorton County

Direct sow Broccoli outdoors after March 31 in Throckmorton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes
  • Strawberries

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

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 Throckmorton County, TX?

Throckmorton County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Broccoli planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Throckmorton County, TX?

Throckmorton County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is November 9.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Throckmorton County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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 Throckmorton County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.