FrostCal

When to Plant Broccoli in District of Columbia

In a typical District of Columbia location, start seeds indoors Feb 8 – Feb 22, then transplant outdoors Mar 8 – Mar 15. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 3 in Washington and as late as Mar 19 in Chevy Chase. For a fall crop, plant around Sep 6 – Sep 13.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 55–80 days

Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost).

Broccoli Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplantFall planting
WashingtonFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 3 – Mar 10Sep 16 – Sep 23
Downtown DCFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 8 – Mar 15Sep 6 – Sep 13
Columbia HeightsFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 8 – Mar 15Sep 6 – Sep 13
Mount PleasantFeb 19 – Mar 5Mar 19 – Mar 26Aug 29 – Sep 5
Central 14th Street / Spring RoadFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 8 – Mar 15Sep 6 – Sep 13
Northwest OneFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 8 – Mar 15Sep 6 – Sep 13
Foggy BottomFeb 19 – Mar 5Mar 19 – Mar 26Aug 29 – Sep 5
Mount Vernon TriangleFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 8 – Mar 15Sep 6 – Sep 13
H Street NEFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 8 – Mar 15Sep 6 – Sep 13
Pleasant PlainsFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 8 – Mar 15Sep 6 – Sep 13
NoMaFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 8 – Mar 15Sep 6 – Sep 13
PetworthFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 8 – Mar 15Sep 6 – Sep 13
Capitol RiverfrontFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 3 – Mar 10Sep 16 – Sep 23
Park ViewFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 8 – Mar 15Sep 6 – Sep 13
Golden TriangleFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 3 – Mar 10Sep 16 – Sep 23
ShawFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 8 – Mar 15Sep 6 – Sep 13
BrightwoodFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 8 – Mar 15Sep 6 – Sep 13
Adams MorganFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 8 – Mar 15Sep 6 – Sep 13
Kennedy StreetFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 8 – Mar 15Sep 6 – Sep 13
Southwest WaterfrontFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 3 – Mar 10Sep 16 – Sep 23
Barracks RowFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 8 – Mar 15Sep 6 – Sep 13
Union MarketFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 8 – Mar 15Sep 6 – Sep 13
AnacostiaFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 3 – Mar 10Sep 16 – Sep 23
Colorado TriangleFeb 19 – Mar 5Mar 19 – Mar 26Aug 29 – Sep 5
Brentwood VillageFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 8 – Mar 15Sep 6 – Sep 13
The WharfFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 3 – Mar 10Sep 16 – Sep 23
Central 14th Street / WMATA Northern Bus BarnFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 8 – Mar 15Sep 6 – Sep 13
Van NessFeb 19 – Mar 5Mar 19 – Mar 26Aug 29 – Sep 5
Benning RoadFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 8 – Mar 15Sep 6 – Sep 13
HillcrestFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 8 – Mar 15Sep 6 – Sep 13

Showing the 30 most populous of 35 District of Columbia cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all District of Columbia cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant broccoli in District of Columbia?

In a typical District of Columbia location, start seeds indoors Feb 8 – Feb 22, then transplant outdoors Mar 8 – Mar 15. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 3 in Washington and as late as Mar 19 in Chevy Chase. For a fall crop, plant around Sep 6 – Sep 13.

When is the last frost in District of Columbia?

The average last spring frost in District of Columbia ranges from March 24 in Washington to April 9 in Chevy Chase, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do broccoli take to grow?

Broccoli typically take 55–80 days from planting to harvest. Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost).

Other Crops in District of Columbia

When to plant broccoli in other states

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