When to plant broccoli in Pittsburgh

Broccoli is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Pittsburgh's frost dates of Apr 17.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 6 – Mar 27
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 3 – Apr 24
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 2 – Jun 27
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 11 – Jul 25
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 16 – Oct 11
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
Pittsburgh's 188-day season leaves this much room.
Broccoli on Pittsburgh'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
APR 17
OCT 25

Common questions

When will broccoli be ready to harvest in Pittsburgh?

Expect to harvest from around early June (Jun 2–Jun 27) in Pittsburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 73%.

When should I start broccoli seeds indoors in Pittsburgh?

Start seeds indoors around early March (Mar 6–Mar 27) in Pittsburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.

When can I transplant broccoli outdoors in Pittsburgh?

Transplant outdoors around early April (Apr 3–Apr 24) in Pittsburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.

Can I plant broccoli in autumn in Pittsburgh?

Yes — Pittsburgh supports a second, autumn sowing of broccoli around mid July (Jul 11–Jul 25), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh has roughly 188 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 Pittsburgh's frost dates.

Confidence 81/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.