When to Plant Broccoli in Red Oak, Iowa (51566)
Location
Red Oak, Iowa
ZIP Code
51566
USDA Zone
5b
Last Frost
Saturday, April 25, 2026
📅 Planting Calendar
Direct Sow Outdoors Saturday, March 14, 2026
Pro Tip: Broccoli can be directly sown outdoors. Plant 6 weeks before your last frost date.
🌿 Plant Details
Scientific Name Brassica oleracea
Days to Maturity 60 days
Mature Height 18-30"
Spread 18"
Type Head
Fruit Size Medium (4-7 inch head)
☀️ Growing Requirements
☀️
Sun
Full Sun (6 hours)
💧
Water
Regular (1-1.5 inches/week)
↔️
Spacing
18" apart
🌱
Planting Depth
0.5" deep
Seeds typically germinate in 4-7 days
🤝 Good Companions
BeetCeleryOnionPotatoDill
⚠️ Avoid Planting Near
TomatoStrawberryPepper
Other Plants for Red Oak
Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Brussel Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini
Growing Broccoli in Zone 5b
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea) is a popular garden vegetable. In Red Oak, Iowa, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b, you should direct sow seeds around Saturday, March 14, 2026.
Your average last frost date is Saturday, April 25, 2026. Broccoli grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.