When to plant broccoli in Boston
Broccoli is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Boston's frost dates of Apr 4.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 21 – Mar 14
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 5 – Apr 26
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 4 – Jun 29
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 26 – Aug 9
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 1 – Oct 26
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
Boston's 220-day season leaves this much room.
Broccoli on Boston'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
APR 4
NOV 9
Common questions
When will broccoli be ready to harvest in Boston?
Expect to harvest from around early June (Jun 4–Jun 29) in Boston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.
When should I start broccoli seeds indoors in Boston?
Start seeds indoors around late February (Feb 21–Mar 14) in Boston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.
When can I transplant broccoli outdoors in Boston?
Transplant outdoors around early April (Apr 5–Apr 26) in Boston, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 86%.
Can I plant broccoli in autumn in Boston?
Yes — Boston supports a second, autumn sowing of broccoli around late July (Jul 26–Aug 9), timed to mature before the first fall frost.
How long is the growing season in Boston?
Boston has roughly 220 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 Boston's frost dates.
Confidence 89/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.