FrostCal

When to Plant Broccoli in Kentucky

In a typical Kentucky location, start seeds indoors Feb 22 – Mar 8, then transplant outdoors Mar 22 – Mar 29. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 10 in Louisville and as late as Apr 10 in Shelbyville. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 26 – Sep 2.

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
LouisvilleFeb 10 – Feb 24Mar 10 – Mar 17Sep 7 – Sep 14
LexingtonFeb 23 – Mar 9Mar 23 – Mar 30Aug 26 – Sep 2
Lexington-FayetteFeb 23 – Mar 9Mar 23 – Mar 30Aug 26 – Sep 2
MeadsMar 4 – Mar 18Apr 1 – Apr 8Aug 21 – Aug 28
Bowling GreenFeb 15 – Mar 1Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 29 – Sep 5
OwensboroFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 13 – Mar 20Aug 31 – Sep 7
CovingtonFeb 26 – Mar 12Mar 26 – Apr 2Aug 23 – Aug 30
RichmondFeb 25 – Mar 11Mar 25 – Apr 1Aug 20 – Aug 27
GeorgetownFeb 23 – Mar 9Mar 23 – Mar 30Aug 26 – Sep 2
FlorenceFeb 28 – Mar 14Mar 28 – Apr 4Aug 23 – Aug 30
HopkinsvilleFeb 14 – Feb 28Mar 14 – Mar 21Aug 31 – Sep 7
NicholasvilleFeb 17 – Mar 3Mar 17 – Mar 24Aug 30 – Sep 6
ElizabethtownFeb 26 – Mar 12Mar 26 – Apr 2Aug 23 – Aug 30
HendersonFeb 19 – Mar 5Mar 19 – Mar 26Aug 24 – Aug 31
FrankfortFeb 25 – Mar 11Mar 25 – Apr 1Aug 22 – Aug 29
JeffersontownFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 13 – Mar 20Sep 1 – Sep 8
IndependenceFeb 28 – Mar 14Mar 28 – Apr 4Aug 23 – Aug 30
PaducahFeb 16 – Mar 2Mar 16 – Mar 23Aug 25 – Sep 1
Valley StationFeb 10 – Feb 24Mar 10 – Mar 17Sep 5 – Sep 12
RadcliffFeb 26 – Mar 12Mar 26 – Apr 2Aug 23 – Aug 30
AshlandMar 4 – Mar 18Apr 1 – Apr 8Aug 21 – Aug 28
NewburgFeb 16 – Mar 2Mar 16 – Mar 23Aug 30 – Sep 6
MadisonvilleFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 12 – Mar 19Aug 30 – Sep 6
MurrayFeb 15 – Mar 1Mar 15 – Mar 22Aug 30 – Sep 6
ErlangerFeb 28 – Mar 14Mar 28 – Apr 4Aug 23 – Aug 30
WinchesterMar 2 – Mar 16Mar 30 – Apr 6Aug 17 – Aug 24
Fern CreekFeb 16 – Mar 2Mar 16 – Mar 23Aug 30 – Sep 6
Saint MatthewsFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 13 – Mar 20Sep 1 – Sep 8
OkolonaFeb 16 – Mar 2Mar 16 – Mar 23Aug 30 – Sep 6
DanvilleFeb 19 – Mar 5Mar 19 – Mar 26Aug 25 – Sep 1

Showing the 30 most populous of 52 Kentucky cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Kentucky cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant broccoli in Kentucky?

In a typical Kentucky location, start seeds indoors Feb 22 – Mar 8, then transplant outdoors Mar 22 – Mar 29. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 10 in Louisville and as late as Apr 10 in Shelbyville. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 26 – Sep 2.

When is the last frost in Kentucky?

The average last spring frost in Kentucky ranges from March 31 in Louisville to May 1 in Shelbyville, 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 Kentucky

When to plant broccoli in other states

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