When can I transport my broccoli to the garden safely?

Stainless · February 26, 2015

I started some broccoli indoors about a month ago and they're doing well. I would like to transport them to the garden soon but it's still pretty cold out. I'm located in 7a. I've seen various plant out dates and some say before the last frost.

Can I plant these out now or will it kill them? Last year when I planted, it was already Spring and I had purchased the seedlings from the big box store.

Stvrob · February 26, 2015

it could get cold enough to kill them if you set them out now, they would probably be fine, but if you waited two more weeks the odds would be better, esp if they have been growing at room temp till now. If they are getting to big for indoors, you might want to get them outside and get used to the cold and just bring them back in if it gets real cold. Or roll the dice and set them out now.

Cole_Robbie · February 26, 2015

It's cold enough to kill them right now for sure.

I'd say wait about 2-3 more weeks at least. Try to time it with the weather forecast so that there is no hard freeze in the 2-week forecast. Broccoli can survive a light frost, but would still prefer to be covered if it is going to frost.

Stainless · February 26, 2015

I guess the same goes for cabbage? My little girl was given one at school from a program that Bonnie does. I transplanted it to a large pot but I've been keeping it in the house for now.

I guess I could put these out and put a white plastic cover over them in two or three weeks?

greenthumbomaha · February 27, 2015

I remember an old post from Durgan where he always boosted his garden season by potting up his store bought 6 pack into larger pots and setting them in his cold frame for a few weeks. You'll feel like you're making progress and get a jump on their size with no risk.

We're going down to -6 tonight, unbelievable. Weather is so erratic this year.
I'll be growing a lot of bucket plants so I can start at a normal time and not worry.

- Lisa

KarenO · February 27, 2015

Broccoli seedlings are tough. Typically hardened off seedlings can be planted out two weeks before the last average frost date. Like any other indoor raised seedling they cannot be transplanted without first getting used to outdoor conditions by hardening off.
KarenO

Stvrob · February 27, 2015

When I lived in South central Missouri, I had broccoli in the ground middle of March. But now when I peek at the area forecast it looks far colder than I remember it when I lived there In the 80's. Maybe I've been in Florida too long.

b54red · February 27, 2015

I set mine out a week ago but I'm in zone 8a. I have been growing broccoli and such for 40 years and have rarely had it damaged severely by cold except when the temps get down below the mid 20s unless heads are already forming. I have found no problem with temps down around 28 but I cover mine if forecast are called for below 30 because it frequently will go far lower and it's better to be safe than sorry.

My problem this year was the squirrels hit mine yesterday morning and ate half of them down to the ground. The pellet rifle is coming out today!

Bill

NarnianGarden · February 27, 2015

I would not plant any broccoli outdoors before the butterfly populations have died for good...

jmsieglaff · February 27, 2015

Where I'm at my last frost date is about May 5. I usually plant our broccoli April 20 +/- 5 days depending on the year. It tolerates a night in the upper 20s for me without protection. These are seedlings that have been hardened off for about 3 weeks in my cold frame.

This will be of help for you: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tsa/?n=climo_fsmyrfree32

The extended forecast for later next week has another cold plunge over the central US. I'd give it a couple weeks. If they are growing too fast, try to move them and the lights to a cooler location.

February 26, 2015	#1
Stainless Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Fort Smith, AR Posts: 86	When can I transport my broccoli to the garden safely? I started some broccoli indoors about a month ago and they're doing well. I would like to transport them to the garden soon but it's still pretty cold out. I'm located in 7a. I've seen various plant out dates and some say before the last frost. Can I plant these out now or will it kill them? Last year when I planted, it was already Spring and I had purchased the seedlings from the big box store.

February 27, 2015	#10
jmsieglaff Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Southern WI Posts: 2,742	Where I'm at my last frost date is about May 5. I usually plant our broccoli April 20 +/- 5 days depending on the year. It tolerates a night in the upper 20s for me without protection. These are seedlings that have been hardened off for about 3 weeks in my cold frame. This will be of help for you: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tsa/?n=climo_fsmyrfree32 The extended forecast for later next week has another cold plunge over the central US. I'd give it a couple weeks. If they are growing too fast, try to move them and the lights to a cooler location. Last edited by jmsieglaff; February 27, 2015 at 04:05 PM.

February 26, 2015	#2
Stvrob Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,413	it could get cold enough to kill them if you set them out now, they would probably be fine, but if you waited two more weeks the odds would be better, esp if they have been growing at room temp till now. If they are getting to big for indoors, you might want to get them outside and get used to the cold and just bring them back in if it gets real cold. Or roll the dice and set them out now.

February 26, 2015	#3
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	It's cold enough to kill them right now for sure. I'd say wait about 2-3 more weeks at least. Try to time it with the weather forecast so that there is no hard freeze in the 2-week forecast. Broccoli can survive a light frost, but would still prefer to be covered if it is going to frost.

February 27, 2015	#5
greenthumbomaha Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Omaha Zone 5 Posts: 2,514	I remember an old post from Durgan where he always boosted his garden season by potting up his store bought 6 pack into larger pots and setting them in his cold frame for a few weeks. You'll feel like you're making progress and get a jump on their size with no risk. We're going down to -6 tonight, unbelievable. Weather is so erratic this year. I'll be growing a lot of bucket plants so I can start at a normal time and not worry. - Lisa

February 27, 2015	#6
KarenO Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 5,922	Broccoli seedlings are tough. Typically hardened off seedlings can be planted out two weeks before the last average frost date. Like any other indoor raised seedling they cannot be transplanted without first getting used to outdoor conditions by hardening off. KarenO

February 27, 2015	#8
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	I set mine out a week ago but I'm in zone 8a. I have been growing broccoli and such for 40 years and have rarely had it damaged severely by cold except when the temps get down below the mid 20s unless heads are already forming. I have found no problem with temps down around 28 but I cover mine if forecast are called for below 30 because it frequently will go far lower and it's better to be safe than sorry. My problem this year was the squirrels hit mine yesterday morning and ate half of them down to the ground. The pellet rifle is coming out today! Bill

February 27, 2015	#9
NarnianGarden Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Finland, EU Posts: 2,550	I would not plant any broccoli outdoors before the butterfly populations have died for good...