FrostCal

When to Plant Broccoli in Pennsylvania

In a typical Pennsylvania location, start seeds indoors Mar 2 – Mar 16, then transplant outdoors Mar 30 – Apr 6. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 9 in Philadelphia and as late as Apr 24 in Hermitage. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 23 – Aug 30.

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
PhiladelphiaFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 9 – Mar 16Sep 15 – Sep 22
PittsburghMar 6 – Mar 20Apr 3 – Apr 10Aug 25 – Sep 1
AllentownMar 2 – Mar 16Mar 30 – Apr 6Aug 22 – Aug 29
ErieMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 5 – Apr 12Sep 2 – Sep 9
ReadingFeb 24 – Mar 10Mar 24 – Mar 31Aug 27 – Sep 3
ScrantonMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 2 – Apr 9Aug 18 – Aug 25
BethlehemMar 2 – Mar 16Mar 30 – Apr 6Aug 22 – Aug 29
BensalemMar 3 – Mar 17Mar 31 – Apr 7Aug 23 – Aug 30
LancasterMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 29 – Apr 5Aug 22 – Aug 29
AbingtonFeb 21 – Mar 7Mar 21 – Mar 28Aug 30 – Sep 6
LevittownMar 3 – Mar 17Mar 31 – Apr 7Aug 23 – Aug 30
HavertownFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 9 – Mar 16Sep 15 – Sep 22
HarrisburgFeb 25 – Mar 11Mar 25 – Apr 1Aug 21 – Aug 28
AltoonaMar 7 – Mar 21Apr 4 – Apr 11Aug 19 – Aug 26
YorkMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 5 – Apr 12Aug 17 – Aug 24
State CollegeMar 2 – Mar 16Mar 30 – Apr 6Aug 24 – Aug 31
Wilkes-BarreMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 2 – Apr 9Aug 18 – Aug 25
NorristownFeb 18 – Mar 4Mar 18 – Mar 25Aug 29 – Sep 5
ChesterFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 9 – Mar 16Sep 14 – Sep 21
Mount LebanonFeb 28 – Mar 14Mar 28 – Apr 4Aug 26 – Sep 2
Bethel ParkFeb 28 – Mar 14Mar 28 – Apr 4Aug 26 – Sep 2
WayneFeb 18 – Mar 4Mar 18 – Mar 25Aug 29 – Sep 5
RadnorFeb 18 – Mar 4Mar 18 – Mar 25Aug 29 – Sep 5
WilliamsportMar 7 – Mar 21Apr 4 – Apr 11Aug 22 – Aug 29
MonroevilleMar 4 – Mar 18Apr 1 – Apr 8Aug 23 – Aug 30
Cranberry TownshipFeb 18 – Mar 4Mar 18 – Mar 25Sep 6 – Sep 13
Drexel HillFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 12 – Mar 19Sep 8 – Sep 15
PlumFeb 26 – Mar 12Mar 26 – Apr 2Aug 30 – Sep 6
Back MountainMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 2 – Apr 9Aug 18 – Aug 25
EastonFeb 28 – Mar 14Mar 28 – Apr 4Aug 23 – Aug 30

Showing the 30 most populous of 121 Pennsylvania cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Pennsylvania cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant broccoli in Pennsylvania?

In a typical Pennsylvania location, start seeds indoors Mar 2 – Mar 16, then transplant outdoors Mar 30 – Apr 6. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 9 in Philadelphia and as late as Apr 24 in Hermitage. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 23 – Aug 30.

When is the last frost in Pennsylvania?

The average last spring frost in Pennsylvania ranges from March 30 in Philadelphia to May 15 in Hermitage, 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 Pennsylvania

When to plant broccoli in other states

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