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When to Plant Broccoli in Titus 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.

Titus County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 18 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 238 days.

At an elevation of 314 feet, Titus County receives approximately 72.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Broccoli during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Broccoli will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Broccoli root diseases.

Titus County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
238 days
Last Spring Frost March 18
238 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Titus County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: May 10 – Jun 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (133 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (128 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 22

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 Titus County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4โ€“6.8) overlaps with Broccoli's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Titus County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Broccoli will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.8%). 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 238-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 13 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 02.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.3″/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€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 2.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 8.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 10.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 11.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 8.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 8.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 6.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec โ€” 1.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Titus 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 ~1,369 GDD — county provides 4,343 GDD Excellent fit

Broccoli Planting Timeline โ€” Titus County, TX

Broccoli Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 11 Feb 11 โ€“ Feb 25
Transplant Outdoors March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 1
Direct Sow March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 25
Harvest May 20 May 20 โ€“ Jul 1
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 โ€“ Sep 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
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 8a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

238 days in Titus County

Growing Tips for Broccoli in Titus County

Direct sow Broccoli outdoors after March 18 in Titus County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Titus County dries quickly โ€” mulch Broccoli with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Summer highs in Titus County reach 91ยฐF โ€” 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 Titus County

Heat-tolerant broccoli โ€” 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 →

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 Titus County, TX?

Titus County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 18. Plan your Broccoli planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Titus County, TX?

Titus County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 18 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Titus County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Titus County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.