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 45°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 14 - 20 inches 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

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02 Jan 17, Tania hodges (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Why does our plants only produce really small main heads of broccoli, the plants appear to be really healthy.
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03 Jan 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
It may be a small headed variety. Many of the large headed varieties are only available from commercial seed growers Contact Egmont Seeds (NZ) they have larger headed varieties.
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31 Dec 16, Patrick Hanratty (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I bought seedlings that said they were Kale from Spar here in Centurion. So now its 31st Jan and they are as big as small bushes about 1.5 metres and certainly not Kale but obviously Broccoli. No heads yet although 5 months growing. Should i wait for cooler weather for them to head or is it better to pull em out because there will be no cool nights until end Feb.
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01 Nov 16, Lyn (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Why should broccoli not be planted in the same bed as capsicum? Too late for me this time, although both seem to be doing well.
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02 Aug 16, Ron (Australia - temperate climate)
We just bought broccoli seedlings from our local hardware's nursery, but your info says plant in spring or autumn. Should we return them or is there somewhere they might grow, under the back patio in a pot with winter sun on them perhaps? Please help.
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09 Aug 16, Ann-Marie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Broccoli need cold to grow. Put them in the coldest spot in the garden. My broccoli is already going to flower but as flowers are edible i dont mind. You may find that you get very little from them this late in the season. Try approx 4 hrs of sunlight per day then the coldest part of garden for the rest of the day. Broccolini might be a better choice this time of year as you pick much earlier.
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25 May 16, Karan Rai (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Greetings , I want to plant broccoli,being a novice , i need some help on how to grow them we are approaching winter ,we will have tempreture ,20/25 deg not very cold and no snow. Can you advise please Regards Karan rai
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24 Apr 16, Otuwose Agyeno (Australia - tropical climate)
I have sown broccoli seeds about a week ago and the rainy season is about to set in here in Nigeria. Can you kindly advice on how I should take care of them until harvest during this season?
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12 Oct 15, Javed karim (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Dear sir .i want to know which time is best to plant Broccoli. I am from HUNZA pakistan, and I want to check according to our climate.I need your guidance.
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28 Mar 16, Andrew (Australia - temperate climate)
Javed, in Australia Broccoli grows best during the cooler months, it can be grown over summer here but tends to bolt and go to seed quicker in summer, I plant it in early to mid Autumn, it just depends on the climate where you live
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my brocolli heads are large and tight and its not until I cook that that the caterpillers appear. Is there a way to remove them before cooking.

- Val Thomson

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