When to plant broccoli in Toronto
Broccoli is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Toronto's frost dates of May 3.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 22 – Apr 12
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 19 – May 10
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 18 – Jul 13
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jun 28 – Jul 12
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 3 – Sep 28
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
Toronto's 160-day season leaves this much room.
Broccoli on Toronto's growing year
Frost-bounded season with crops mapped onto the 12-month axis.
Frost risk Growing Harvest
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
FROST
FROST
MAY 3
OCT 12
Common questions
When will broccoli be ready to harvest in Toronto?
Expect to harvest from around mid June (Jun 18–Jul 13) in Toronto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 75%.
When should I start broccoli seeds indoors in Toronto?
Start seeds indoors around late March (Mar 22–Apr 12) in Toronto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When can I transplant broccoli outdoors in Toronto?
Transplant outdoors around mid April (Apr 19–May 10) in Toronto, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.
Can I plant broccoli in autumn in Toronto?
Yes — Toronto supports a second, autumn sowing of broccoli around late June (Jun 28–Jul 12), timed to mature before the first fall frost.
How long is the growing season in Toronto?
Toronto has roughly 160 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow broccoli to maturity outdoors.
The rule of thumb
Sow broccoli as soon as the soil is workable — it tolerates cool weather and light frost. Every date on this page is derived from that rule and Toronto's frost dates.
Confidence 83/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.