When to plant broccoli in San Jose

Broccoli is cold-hardy, so every date keys off San Jose's frost dates of Feb 12.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jan 1 – Jan 22
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Dec 25 – Jan 15
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Feb 23 – Mar 20
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Aug 19 – Sep 2
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Oct 25 – Nov 19
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
San Jose's 294-day season leaves this much room.
Broccoli on San Jose'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
FEB 12
DEC 3

Common questions

When will broccoli be ready to harvest in San Jose?

Expect to harvest from around late February (Feb 23–Mar 20) in San Jose, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 74%.

When should I start broccoli seeds indoors in San Jose?

Start seeds indoors around early January (Jan 1–Jan 22) in San Jose, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 78%.

When can I transplant broccoli outdoors in San Jose?

Transplant outdoors around late December (Dec 25–Jan 15) in San Jose, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

Can I plant broccoli in autumn in San Jose?

Yes — San Jose supports a second, autumn sowing of broccoli around mid August (Aug 19–Sep 2), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in San Jose?

San Jose has roughly 294 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 San Jose's frost dates.

Confidence 82/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.