Growing Broccoli

Broccoli prefers cool weather to grow. Plant in the early spring for summer or early fall harvest and early summer for late fall harvesting. Small heads called side shoots will form on the stem after the large head is harvested. These can be cut and used to extend your harvest. These vegetables are best transplanted as they get more growth before the heat of summer.

Botanical Family - Brassicaeae/Mustard Family

Location - Cool, well drained, open.

Soil - Rich, moist, loam with neutral pH (6.0-6.8.

Soil Preparation - Grows well after a green manure crop. Dig in a few inches of compost or aged manure, shredded leaves and lime before planting. Use compost or manure tea at bud formation time.

Seed Info -

• Seed spacing - 18 inches apart
• Germinate in soil temperature of 10 – 30 C
• Days to Maturity - 50-72 days

Planting times - Sow April to mid July; transplants at 6-8 weeks. Set out before they reach 4-6 leaf stage. Succession plant every 2 weeks.

Planting Instruction - Seeds need to be covered when seeded in propagating mix (use large cells). Add a handful of compost in the hole when transplanting. Water it well.

Companion Planting

• Positive affects: bean, dill nasturtium, onion, potato, oregano, sage
• Negative affects: tomato, lettuce

Watering - Water regularly once a week at the base of the plants.

Weeding - Keep weeded while plants are small.

Disease & Insects -

• Root maggot-to prevention grow after green manure.
• Cabbage worm – pick off, cover with remay or mulch with sawdust around the plant.
• Club root – to prevent use rotation

Harvest - Pick the center head when it is at least 5 inches across. After the center head is cut many smaller side shoots will develop.

Storage - Cool as soon as you harvest buy putting it on ice or in the fridge. This vegetable will keep in the refrigerator of up to 2 weeks.