When to plant broccoli in Richmond
Broccoli is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Richmond's frost dates of Apr 1.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 18 – Mar 11
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 18 – Apr 8
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 17 – Jun 11
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 21 – Aug 4
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 26 – Oct 21
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
Richmond's 217-day season leaves this much room.
Broccoli on Richmond'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 1
NOV 4
Common questions
When will broccoli be ready to harvest in Richmond?
Expect to harvest from around mid May (May 17–Jun 11) in Richmond, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
When should I start broccoli seeds indoors in Richmond?
Start seeds indoors around mid February (Feb 18–Mar 11) in Richmond, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 84%.
When can I transplant broccoli outdoors in Richmond?
Transplant outdoors around mid March (Mar 18–Apr 8) in Richmond, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 88%.
Can I plant broccoli in autumn in Richmond?
Yes — Richmond supports a second, autumn sowing of broccoli around late July (Jul 21–Aug 4), timed to mature before the first fall frost.
How long is the growing season in Richmond?
Richmond has roughly 217 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 Richmond's frost dates.
Confidence 88/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.