When to plant broccoli in Wilmington

Broccoli is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Wilmington's frost dates of Apr 6.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 23 – Mar 16
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 23 – Apr 13
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 22 – Jun 16
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Step 4 · Second sowing
Autumn / second sowing
Jul 25 – Aug 8
A second window for a fall crop, timed to mature before the first frost.
Step 5 · Second harvest
Autumn crop harvest
Sep 30 – Oct 25
Maturity window for the second sowing.
Window
Days to maturity
60 – 85 d
Wilmington's 214-day season leaves this much room.
Broccoli on Wilmington'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 6
NOV 8

Common questions

When will broccoli be ready to harvest in Wilmington?

Expect to harvest from around late May (May 22–Jun 16) in Wilmington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 80%.

When should I start broccoli seeds indoors in Wilmington?

Start seeds indoors around late February (Feb 23–Mar 16) in Wilmington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 85%.

When can I transplant broccoli outdoors in Wilmington?

Transplant outdoors around late March (Mar 23–Apr 13) in Wilmington, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 89%.

Can I plant broccoli in autumn in Wilmington?

Yes — Wilmington supports a second, autumn sowing of broccoli around late July (Jul 25–Aug 8), timed to mature before the first fall frost.

How long is the growing season in Wilmington?

Wilmington has roughly 214 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 Wilmington's frost dates.

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