When to plant broccoli in Nebraska
Nebraska’s average last spring frost is April 30, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 5 — about 158 frost-free days (USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b). Broccoli needs 60–85 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Nebraska's growing season.
When to plant broccoli in Nebraska: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 9 – Apr 26, with seeds started indoors Mar 12 – Mar 26. Seeds germinate in soil from 45 to 85°F.
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow broccoli in Nebraska, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 12 – Mar 26). Sow seeds ½ inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 5-10 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 75°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. It needs at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 18 inches deep, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (Apr 9 – Apr 26). Space plants about 18 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart. It tolerates a light frost but not a hard freeze. As a cool-season crop it does best before summer heat arrives in Nebraska.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: cabbage worm, cabbage looper, aphids, flea beetle, cabbage root maggot. Diseases and disorders: clubroot, black rot, downy mildew.
- Harvest (from about Jun 15 – Jul 10). Broccoli takes 60-85 days to reach harvest. Days to maturity counted from transplant. Keep cutting side shoots after the main head for weeks. Spring crop must size up before heat or it buttons.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Nebraska’s average frost dates. More in the full broccoli growing guide.
Broccoli planting dates by USDA zone in Nebraska
Nebraska spans USDA zones 4b, 5a, 5b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the broccoli dates shift with them.
When to plant broccoli in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska (this page) | April 30 | Apr 9 – Apr 26 |
| North Dakota | May 15 | Apr 24 – May 11 |
| South Dakota | May 10 | Apr 19 – May 6 |
| Kansas | April 15 | Mar 25 – Apr 11 |
| Oklahoma | April 1 | Mar 11 – Mar 28 |
Questions gardeners in Nebraska ask
When is the best time to plant broccoli in Nebraska?
Plant broccoli transplants outdoors in Nebraska between April 9 and April 26. That timing is set by Nebraska's average last spring frost of April 30.
When should I start broccoli seeds indoors in Nebraska?
Start seeds indoors between March 12 and March 26, about 6 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 9.
Can I plant broccoli in the fall in Nebraska?
Yes. For a fall crop, start transplants between June 26 and July 13, so the crop matures in cool weather before Nebraska's first frost around October 5.
When will broccoli planted in Nebraska be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, broccoli is usually ready from about June 15 to July 10, 60-85 days after transplanting.
When is the last frost in Nebraska?
On average around April 30, with the first fall frost around October 5 - about 158 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.