Washington DC · zones 7b–7b
When to plant broccoli in Washington DC.
Sow or transplant between Feb 12 to Mar 12 in a typical year, keyed to Washington DC's median last frost around Apr 5. A second, fall sowing fits Jul 25 to Sep 3. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Broccoli dates for a typical Washington DC season.
1 · Start indoors
Jan 1 to Jan 29
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
Feb 12 to Mar 12
Keyed to the ~Apr 5 last frost. Sow 0.5" deep, 18" apart.
Fall round
Jul 25 to Sep 3
Counted back from the ~Nov 8 first frost.
Harvest
~60 days later
~1.2 lb per plant over ~3 weeks.
Washington DC spans more than one climate: Zone 7 is the most common zone, but the state runs 7b to 7b. That's why the planner works from your ZIP code's frost dates, not your zone — mountain and coastal gardens in the same state can be three weeks apart.