When to plant broccoli in Port Angeles, WA

Start broccoli from seed indoors Jan 25 – Feb 8, then plant the young plants in the garden in Port Angeles Mar 15 – Apr 19. For a fall harvest, plant again Jul 23 – Aug 6.

Moderate Plant young plants (starts)

Why these dates

Port Angeles's typical last spring frost is April 8. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the west-side valleys, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about March 15.

West-side valleys. The Willamette Valley, Puget Sound and southern Oregon valleys. Long frost-free seasons, but soil stays cold and wet into May, so warm crops wait for warm soil, not just the last frost.

Difficulty: Moderate
Sun: Full sun
Spacing: 18 inches apart
Planting depth: Plant starts at the depth they grew in the pot
Frost: Handles light frost
First harvest: About 70 days after planting

Step by step

Start seeds indoors Jan 25 – Feb 8 in trays or small pots under a grow light or in your sunniest window. Or skip this step and buy young plants (starts) at a garden center.
Harden off the young plants: about a week before planting, set them outside for a few hours a day, a little longer each day.
Plant them in the garden Mar 15 – Apr 19, 18 inches apart. Plant starts at the depth they grew in the pot.
Water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little every day, and mulch once the soil is warm.
Plant again Jul 23 – Aug 6 for a fall harvest.
Harvest: Cut the main head while the buds are tight and dark green. Side shoots follow for weeks.

Varieties that do well here

Packman
Green Magic
Purple Sprouting (overwinters west of the Cascades)

Watch out for

Cabbage worms and aphids. Cover young plants with insect netting.

Harvest the main head while buds are tight; side shoots follow for weeks.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Port Angeles, WA?

Typically April 8. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 1. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Port Angeles International Airport.

Is it too late to plant broccoli in Port Angeles?

The spring planting window runs through April 19. If you miss it, plant again for fall from July 23 to August 6.

When should I start broccoli from seed indoors in Port Angeles?

January 25 to February 8, which is 7 to 5 weeks before the March 15 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

Also plant in Port Angeles around the same time

Planting dates for broccoli in nearby areas

Aberdeen and Hoquiam, WA Apr 1 – May 6
Forks, WA Apr 1 – May 6
Sequim, WA Mar 24 – Apr 28
Port Townsend, WA Mar 15 – Apr 19
Long Beach and Ilwaco, WA Apr 1 – May 6
Portland, OR Mar 15 – Apr 19

Full planting calendar for Port Angeles · Broccoli in every city