FrostCal

When to Plant Broccoli in Wisconsin

In a typical Wisconsin location, start seeds indoors Mar 12 – Mar 26, then transplant outdoors Apr 9 – Apr 16. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 29 in Kenosha and as late as Apr 20 in Merrill. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 11 – Aug 18.

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
MilwaukeeMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 5 – Apr 12Aug 20 – Aug 27
MadisonMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 10 – Apr 17Aug 7 – Aug 14
Green BayMar 19 – Apr 2Apr 16 – Apr 23Aug 7 – Aug 14
KenoshaMar 1 – Mar 15Mar 29 – Apr 5Aug 24 – Aug 31
RacineMar 2 – Mar 16Mar 30 – Apr 6Aug 22 – Aug 29
AppletonMar 16 – Mar 30Apr 13 – Apr 20Aug 4 – Aug 11
WaukeshaMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 10 – Apr 17Aug 11 – Aug 18
Eau ClaireMar 6 – Mar 20Apr 3 – Apr 10Aug 12 – Aug 19
OshkoshMar 6 – Mar 20Apr 3 – Apr 10Aug 18 – Aug 25
JanesvilleMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 5 – Apr 12Aug 13 – Aug 20
West AllisMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 5 – Apr 12Aug 20 – Aug 27
La CrosseMar 9 – Mar 23Apr 6 – Apr 13Aug 11 – Aug 18
North La CrosseMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 2 – Apr 9Aug 15 – Aug 22
SheboyganMar 7 – Mar 21Apr 4 – Apr 11Aug 21 – Aug 28
WauwatosaMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 5 – Apr 12Aug 16 – Aug 23
Fond du LacMar 9 – Mar 23Apr 6 – Apr 13Aug 17 – Aug 24
New BerlinMar 15 – Mar 29Apr 12 – Apr 19Aug 12 – Aug 19
WausauMar 18 – Apr 1Apr 15 – Apr 22Aug 2 – Aug 9
BrookfieldMar 12 – Mar 26Apr 9 – Apr 16Aug 12 – Aug 19
GreenfieldMar 15 – Mar 29Apr 12 – Apr 19Aug 12 – Aug 19
BeloitMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 10 – Apr 17Aug 10 – Aug 17
FranklinMar 15 – Mar 29Apr 12 – Apr 19Aug 12 – Aug 19
Menomonee FallsMar 18 – Apr 1Apr 15 – Apr 22Aug 6 – Aug 13
Oak CreekMar 4 – Mar 18Apr 1 – Apr 8Aug 24 – Aug 31
ManitowocMar 12 – Mar 26Apr 9 – Apr 16Aug 18 – Aug 25
Sun PrairieMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 10 – Apr 17Aug 8 – Aug 15
West BendMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 10 – Apr 17Aug 10 – Aug 17
FitchburgMar 13 – Mar 27Apr 10 – Apr 17Aug 7 – Aug 14
Stevens PointMar 16 – Mar 30Apr 13 – Apr 20Aug 5 – Aug 12
SuperiorMar 18 – Apr 1Apr 15 – Apr 22Aug 7 – Aug 14

Showing the 30 most populous of 96 Wisconsin cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Wisconsin cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant broccoli in Wisconsin?

In a typical Wisconsin location, start seeds indoors Mar 12 – Mar 26, then transplant outdoors Apr 9 – Apr 16. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 29 in Kenosha and as late as Apr 20 in Merrill. For a fall crop, plant around Aug 11 – Aug 18.

When is the last frost in Wisconsin?

The average last spring frost in Wisconsin ranges from April 19 in Kenosha to May 11 in Merrill, 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 Wisconsin

When to plant broccoli in other states

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