Crops › Broccoli
How to grow Broccoli
in the US
Sow March to August, plant out September, harvest May to November. About 65 days from seed to plate.
Shown for zone 6. Zone table further down.
Broccoli's a proper rewarding veg, isn't it? Gets you a lovely big head, then often some cracking side shoots too. You grow it yourself, and it tastes so much better, like I say. A real staple for the kitchen.
Sowing
Broccoli likes a cool start, so timing is everything. You can get going from early spring for a summer crop, or mid-summer for a fall harvest, depending on your USDA zone. For folks in zone 3, think April to July; zone 4, April to August; zone 5, March to August; zone 6, March to August; zone 7, February to September; zone 8, February to September; zone 9, January to October; and zone 10, January to November. You can sow seeds 1/2 inch (1 cm) deep, either direct into the soil or in trays indoors. Keep them spaced about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart if starting indoors, then thin later. A bit of succession sowing every few weeks works a treat for a continuous harvest.
Growing on
If you've started seeds indoors, once they've got a couple of true leaves, prick them out into individual pots. Give them a good few weeks to harden off outside before planting them out properly. Don't rush it; wait until all danger of your last frost has passed. Space your plants about 18 inches (45 cm) apart in the ground, with 2 feet (60 cm) between rows. Broccoli can do okay in big containers too, as long as they get plenty of sun and aren't cramped.
Looking after it
Broccoli's a thirsty plant, especially when it's forming those heads, so keep the soil consistently moist. A good mulch around the base will help with that, and keep weeds down. It's a hungry plant too, so a balanced organic feed when planting and again when the heads start to form will help it along. Just keep an eye on it through the season, give it what it needs.
What goes wrong
The main bother with broccoli, to be honest, is those pesky cabbage worms and loopers. They can munch through leaves in no time. A simple row cover placed over your plants right after planting out works wonders to keep them off. Aphids can sometimes be a problem too; a strong spray of water or a bit of insecticidal soap usually sorts them out. Flea beetles can also nibble holes in young leaves, especially in dry weather.
Harvest
You'll be chuffed when those heads start forming. Harvest the main head when it's firm and tight, before the individual florets start to separate and show yellow flowers. Cut it with about 6 inches (15 cm) of stem. Don't pull the whole plant up though! Often, you'll get cracking side shoots forming after the main head is gone, giving you an extended harvest. Store fresh broccoli in the fridge, or blanch and freeze any extra.
I always plant some onions or beets nearby my broccoli, seems to keep the worst of the cabbage worms away, you know what I mean.
Dates for your plot
Type your zone and the plant-out advice shifts to your frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Calabrese This is a real classic, a dependable type of broccoli that's been a favorite on plots for ages. Great choice if you're just starting out or want a reliable harvest from indoor sowing. | No club votes yet |
| De Cicco A lovely heirloom variety, known for its consistent performance and plenty of side shoots after the main head. Perfect for direct sowing if you like to get your hands dirty straight away and want a longer harvest. | No club votes yet |
| Green Magic This one grows fast and produces a beautiful, compact head, then gives you a good run of side shoots. It's a cracking choice if you're growing undercover and want a quick turnaround. | No club votes yet |
| Marathon A really popular variety that's known for its uniform heads and good disease resistance. Marathon is a solid bet for indoor sowing, giving you a reliable and plentiful harvest. | No club votes yet |
| Packman Packman is a great early producer, giving you nice, tight heads quickly, even in warmer conditions. If you're looking for a good crop from direct outdoor sowing, this one's a winner. | No club votes yet |
| Belstar This variety is a bit more compact, making it a good option if space is a bit tight, but it still gives you a good main head. Ideal for growing undercover, especially if you want a reliable, smaller plant. | No club votes yet |
| Gypsy Gypsy produces really well, with dense, dome-shaped heads and a good amount of side shoots afterwards. It's a proper reliable choice for indoor starting, giving you a long harvesting period. | No club votes yet |
| Fiesta This one stands out for its vigor and ability to produce good quality heads, even when conditions aren't perfect. A cracking variety if you prefer to sow direct outside and want a robust plant. | No club votes yet |
| Arcadia Arcadia is a dependable choice that handles a bit of heat better than some, producing nice, firm heads. It's a good all-rounder for undercover sowing, especially if your summers get warm. | No club votes yet |
| Waltham 29 An older, open-pollinated variety that's known for its cold tolerance and consistent production of medium-sized heads. A solid choice for indoor sowing, especially if you experience cooler weather. | No club votes yet |
| Blue Wind Blue Wind is a fast grower, giving you excellent, well-domed heads quickly, which is always a bonus. It's a great option for direct outdoor sowing, getting you a speedy harvest. | No club votes yet |
| Diplomat Diplomat produces very uniform, dense heads and has good resistance to some common diseases. A reliable and rewarding choice for growing undercover, ensuring a healthy crop. | No club votes yet |
| Imperial This variety is known for its strong plants and large, tightly packed heads, making it a real showstopper. If you start indoors and want a substantial harvest, Imperial is a cracking option. | No club votes yet |
| Green Comet Green Comet is a hybrid that matures quickly, giving you nice, firm heads in a relatively short time. It's ideal for direct outdoor sowing when you want a fast and reliable crop. | No club votes yet |
| Premium Crop This one is a high-yielding hybrid, giving you big, domed heads and a good number of side shoots. A top choice for undercover growing, especially if you're after a really generous harvest. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
Buy Broccoli seeds
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Sowing by USDA zone
| Zone | Sow / plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April to July | July to September |
| Zone 4 | April to August | June to October |
| Zone 5 | March to August | June to October |
| Zone 6 | March to August | May to November |
| Zone 7 | February to September | May to November |
| Zone 8 | February to September | April to December |
| Zone 9 | January to October | March to December |
| Zone 10 | January to November | March to December |
Cook the harvest
Tender strips of flank steak and crisp-tender broccoli are coated in a savory, slightly sweet sauce in this American-Chinese takeout classic. The key is high heat, thin-sliced beef, and not overcrowding the pan. On the table faster than delivery and considerably better.
35 min · mediumThe takeout classic made at home — tender strips of flank steak and crisp broccoli florets tossed in a savory, glossy brown sauce with garlic and ginger. Velveting the beef in baking soda is the restaurant trick that makes it impossibly tender. Serve over steamed white rice for a complete meal.
35 min · mediumThe ultimate comfort food upgrade — macaroni and cheese loaded with tender broccoli florets baked under a crispy breadcrumb crust. The cheese sauce is made with a proper roux so it stays creamy and never grainy. This feeds a crowd and is exactly the kind of dish everyone goes back for seconds.
55 min · mediumA deeply satisfying, creamy broccoli cheddar soup made from scratch with a proper roux base, tender broccoli florets, and a generous quantity of sharp cheddar that creates the thick, velvety texture everyone craves. The broccoli is added in two stages — some blended into the soup base for body and color, the rest left in small tender pieces for texture. Better than any restaurant version and on the table in 45 minutes.
45 min · easyWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: onions, beets, herbs, potatoes
Questions people ask
When do you sow Broccoli in the US?
Sow Broccoli from March to August in zone 6, earlier or later by zone. Plant out September, after the last frost.
How long does Broccoli take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 65 days, with the harvest May to November.
Which Broccoli varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Calabrese, De Cicco, Green Magic, Marathon and more.
Track your Broccoli from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.