When to Plant Broccoli in Tooele County, UT
Your May gardening checklist
Each item below is timed to Tooele County, Utah's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
-
Plant out broccoli
Harden off for 7 days — a little more sun each day — before planting. That's the difference between a seedling that thrives and one that stalls.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- Starting indoors: broccoli
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.
Tooele County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 169 days.
At an elevation of 4,309 feet, Tooele County receives approximately 12.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Broccoli during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Broccoli successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Tooele County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.3-7.8
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Tooele County
How your county's soil matches Broccoli's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.3–7.8) is more alkaline than Broccoli prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Tooele County is excellent for Broccoli — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Broccoli.
How to Plant Broccoli
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Succession Planting Broccoli
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 19 to harvest before frost.
For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 08.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 10/10 — 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 | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 4.3" | 1.5" | 2.8" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 1" | 3.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 1" | 3.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 1.4" | 2.9" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 1" | 3.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 1.2" | 3.1" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Tooele 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 Planting Timeline — Tooele County, UT
Broccoli Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 27 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 1 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Direct Sow | April 17 | Apr 17 – May 8 |
| Harvest | July 3 | Jul 3 – Aug 14 |
| Fall Sowing | August 8 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 2-3 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
60–90 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6b
📆 Growing Season
169 days in Tooele County
Growing Tips for Broccoli in Tooele County
Direct sow Broccoli outdoors after May 01 in Tooele 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.
Tooele County receives only 13" of rain annually. Broccoli needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Isolate 1/2 mile from other brassicas. Biennial — must overwinter roots.
Broccoli in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Broccoli in Tooele County, UT?
Tooele County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Broccoli planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Tooele County, UT?
Tooele County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 17.
Your Tooele County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Tooele 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.