Growing Broccoli

Brassica sp. : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S                    
      T                
    P P                

(Best months for growing Broccoli in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 7°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 35 - 50 cm apart
  • Harvest in 10-16 weeks. Cut flowerhead off with a knife..
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dwarf (bush) beans, beets, celery, cucumber, onions, marigold, nasturtium, rhubarb, aromatic herbs (sage, dill, chamomile, oregano)
  • Avoid growing close to: Climbing (pole) beans, tomato, peppers (chilli, capsicum), eggplant (aubergine), strawberry, mustard

Your comments and tips

02 Aug 17, Natalie (Australia - tropical climate)
I planted my broccoli at the beginning of June and they have grown very well but so far They haven't developed a head. I fertilised them every two weeks since planting them until a couple of weeks ago when I was told that I had overfertilised them. Is this why no heads have grown?
03 Aug 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
They won't head up until probably 10-12 weeks old. If you used a high % N fertiliser (12-15% N ) then you have over fertilised them (also depends how much you put on). If the plants are very big too much N. Stop fertilizing them and maybe cut the watering back a bit Trial and error. I have planted seeds this year and have had poor results -back to seedlings for me with broccoli and cabbage..
22 Jun 17, Lyndel -- Toowoomba Qld (Australia - temperate climate)
We live in Toowoomba and would like to know the best time to plant broccoli seeds please. Also, a clarification as to whether we are a temperate or sub tropical climate please??
24 Jun 17, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
You are temperate to bordering cool - you probably have warmer summers than cool. If you are high up in Toowoomba you maybe lean to temperate - if down in a hollow lean a bit to cool. By the guide on this website you plant seeds Feb and transplant Mar-April. Buy some well established seedlings and plant now.
26 Mar 17, Diane (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted my broccoli in January it's getting big enough but it's seems to be taking awhile to fruit it gets full sun and the leaves are good maybe I planted too soon
27 Mar 17, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
Diane -- Temperate area - Bundaberg - I generally don't start planting until March - too hot and the chance of a down pour of heavy rain. Rain also brings out the moths. It has rained here the last 2 weeks on and off (8") and the plants can be smashed a bit if quite young. I'm planting broccoli seeds this arvo into egg cartoon (1st try). Maybe a bit shade over them for some or all of the day. Most plants grow slower and develop a better end produce when grown into the winter. When grow into the hotter months they tend to run to seed quicker.
27 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
March and April are better months to plant broccoli. Having said that you should still get heads. While you are waiting, harvest and eat some of the leaves. treat it the same as cabbage because botanically it is the same plant.
30 Mar 17, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
Well we have just had our rain down pour. I had a tarpaulin over our young plants to keep the rain off. The wind became too strong, so had to take it down. We have just had 3 1/4 inches of rain in just over an hour. The plants are swimming. 14 days of wet weather out of 17 days. Nearly 16 inches for the month. John I planted normal cabbage and savoy cabbage next too each other last year. The normal grew really well but the savoy would not head up - planted about early August. They were huge plants - all leaf.
21 Mar 17, Ramandeep (Canada - Zone 3a Temperate Short Summer climate)
Hi , I live in Toronto, is a broccoli farming possible in Ontario
22 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
According to my research Broccoli, Cauliflower and Cabbage can be planted in late April in Toronto. Seeds could be sown indoors now for transplanting when they are ready.
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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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