When to plant broccoli in California
California spans USDA hardiness zones 5a-11. Average last spring frost: varies by region. This calendar gives you the indoor start, transplant, and direct-sow dates for Brassica oleracea var. italica.
California planting dates for broccoli
Dates for California vary significantly by region. Use the average frost date lookup for your specific ZIP code, then apply the standard offsets: start broccoli indoors 8 weeks before your last frost; transplant 2 weeks before last frost;
Why these dates
Broccoli is cool-season. Spring crop: transplants in early spring. Fall crop (often better): transplants 8-10 weeks before first fall frost. Row covers prevent cabbage worm damage.
The dates above are anchored to California's average last spring frost date (which varies by region within the state), with offsets standard across university Extension publications. For zone-specific local timing, use the frost date lookup tool with your ZIP code.
More on growing broccoli
The full growing guide for broccoli - varieties, soil, fertilization, pests, harvest, storage - is here: Broccoli growing guide.
More California planting information
- Full California planting calendar (all crops + ornamentals)
- Find your exact USDA zone by ZIP
- Look up your average frost dates
- Seed starting timeline calculator