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When to Plant Broccoli Rabe in Juab County, UT

Juab County, Utah Zone 6b May

May to-do list for Juab County, Utah

Your garden in Juab County, Utah is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.

Avg. last frost May 19
Avg. first frost October 2
Soil temp (4") 34°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.2 hrs
  1. Transplant broccoli rabe outside

    Pinch off the lowest leaves on each seedling before you plant — it reduces water loss while the roots catch up.

  2. Plant broccoli rabe from seed, right in the garden

    Keep the top inch of soil moist until germination — a gentle morning watering for 5–7 days does the job.

Get ahead of June
  • Starting indoors: broccoli rabe
  • First harvests: broccoli rabe

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Broccoli rabe (rapini) is a brassica grown for its slightly bitter, nutty-flavored florets, leaves, and stems. It is a staple in Italian cooking.

Juab County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 136 days.

At an elevation of 8,143 feet, Juab County receives approximately 23.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Broccoli Rabe to ensure they mature before fall.

Juab County, UT (Zone 6b) Short season
136 days
Last Spring Frost May 19
136 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2
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Juab County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Jul 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 14 Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 5 Transplant: Jun 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Aug 25

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 Juab County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.6) overlaps with Broccoli Rabe's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). Annual compost additions will help Broccoli Rabe.

How to Plant Broccoli Rabe

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 Rabe

4
successive plantings in your 136-day season

Sow every 4.6 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 03 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 24.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 117 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Broccoli Rabe

Broccoli Rabe needs approximately 0.8 inches of water per week (3.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Broccoli Rabe Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3.5" 2.8" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Jun 3.5" 1.6" 1.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 3.5" 1.9" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 3.5" 2.6" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Sep 3.5" 1.7" 1.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 3.5" 2.1" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Broccoli Rabe 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 Rabe needs ~650 GDD — county provides 1,768 GDD Excellent fit

Broccoli Rabe Planting Timeline — Juab County, UT

Broccoli Rabe Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 14 Apr 14 – Apr 28
Transplant Outdoors May 19 May 19 – Jun 2
Direct Sow May 5 May 5 – May 26
Harvest June 30 Jun 30 – Aug 4
Fall Sowing July 24 Jul 24 – Aug 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.8"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

40–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

136 days in Juab County

Growing Tips for Broccoli Rabe in Juab County

Direct sow Broccoli Rabe outdoors after May 19 in Juab County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Broccoli Rabe in this region include cabbage worm and flea beetles. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Direct sow in spring or fall. Harvest when small yellow flower buds first appear but before they open. Cut the main shoot first to encourage side shoots.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Broccoli Rabe in Juab County, UT?

Juab County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 19. Plan your Broccoli Rabe planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Juab County, UT?

Juab County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 19 and first fall frost is October 2.

🌱

Your Juab County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Juab County (Zone 6b). 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 Juab County, UT. 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.