When to Plant Broccoli in Virginia
In a typical Virginia location, start seeds indoors Feb 21 – Mar 7, then transplant outdoors Mar 21 – Mar 28. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 23 in Newport News and as late as Apr 5 in Radford. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 27 – Sep 3.
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
| City | Start indoors | Transplant | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | Sep 10 – Sep 17 |
| Norfolk | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | Sep 14 – Sep 21 |
| Chesapeake | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | Sep 14 – Sep 21 |
| Richmond | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | Sep 2 – Sep 9 |
| Arlington | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | Aug 29 – Sep 5 |
| Newport News | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Feb 23 – Mar 2 | Sep 24 – Oct 1 |
| Alexandria | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | Sep 6 – Sep 13 |
| East Hampton | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Sep 13 – Sep 20 |
| Hampton | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Sep 13 – Sep 20 |
| Roanoke | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | Aug 30 – Sep 6 |
| Portsmouth Heights | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | Sep 14 – Sep 21 |
| Portsmouth | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | Sep 14 – Sep 21 |
| Suffolk | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | Sep 13 – Sep 20 |
| South Suffolk | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | Sep 13 – Sep 20 |
| Lynchburg | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | Aug 23 – Aug 30 |
| Centreville | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 1 | Aug 22 – Aug 29 |
| Dale City | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Sep 6 – Sep 13 |
| West Lynchburg | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | Aug 23 – Aug 30 |
| Reston | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | Aug 27 – Sep 3 |
| Harrisonburg | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | Aug 21 – Aug 28 |
| Leesburg | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | Aug 23 – Aug 30 |
| McLean | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | Aug 29 – Sep 5 |
| Charlottesville | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | Sep 2 – Sep 9 |
| Tuckahoe | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | Aug 29 – Sep 5 |
| Blacksburg | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | Aug 17 – Aug 24 |
| Ashburn | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | Aug 24 – Aug 31 |
| Danville | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Aug 30 – Sep 6 |
| Manassas | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | Aug 25 – Sep 1 |
| Lake Ridge | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | Aug 25 – Sep 1 |
| Burke | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | Aug 27 – Sep 3 |
Showing the 30 most populous of 118 Virginia cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Virginia cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant broccoli in Virginia?
In a typical Virginia location, start seeds indoors Feb 21 – Mar 7, then transplant outdoors Mar 21 – Mar 28. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 23 in Newport News and as late as Apr 5 in Radford. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 27 – Sep 3.
When is the last frost in Virginia?
The average last spring frost in Virginia ranges from March 16 in Newport News to April 26 in Radford, 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 Virginia
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Cucumbers
- Zucchini
- Winter Squash
- Pumpkins
- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Corn
- Green Beans
- Peas
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Kale
- Arugula
- Swiss Chard
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Brussels Sprouts
- Carrots
- Beets
- Radishes
- Turnips
- Onions
- Garlic
- Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes
- Asparagus
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Parsley
- Dill
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
- Marigolds
- Cosmos
- Nasturtiums
- Dahlias
When to plant broccoli in other states