When to plant broccoli in Rochester

Broccoli is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Rochester's frost dates of Apr 29.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Mar 18 – Apr 8
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 15 – May 6
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 14 – Jul 9
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 10 – Jul 24
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 15 – Oct 10
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
Rochester's 173-day season leaves this much room.
Broccoli on Rochester'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 29
OCT 24

Common questions

When will broccoli be ready to harvest in Rochester?

Expect to harvest from around mid June (Jun 14–Jul 9) in Rochester, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When should I start broccoli seeds indoors in Rochester?

Start seeds indoors around mid March (Mar 18–Apr 8) in Rochester, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When can I transplant broccoli outdoors in Rochester?

Transplant outdoors around mid April (Apr 15–May 6) in Rochester, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.

Can I plant broccoli in autumn in Rochester?

Yes — Rochester supports a second, autumn sowing of broccoli around early July (Jul 10–Jul 24), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Rochester?

Rochester has roughly 173 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 Rochester's frost dates.

Confidence 89/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.