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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08 Oct 15, John harmer (Australia - temperate climate)
What do you do with the plants that are all green and leafy with yellow flowers . Pull them out and start again . with watering with plenty of water. Thank you.
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25 Sep 15, bella (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi i have broccolini plants growing tall and leafy with loads of flowers no heads what can i do to get heads to eat? First time ive grown them?
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28 Mar 16, (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Bella Sounds like they bolted due to not enough water :( They do like consistent water, without it, they bolt to flower as you've experienced. I realise your question is a few months old now but hope it helps next time you grow them :)
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17 May 15, Wayne (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted Broccoli in late February this year and my calendar is telling me I should have harvested several times now but all I have is a tall strong green plant with nothing on them. I have plenty of new growth leaves coming on in the middle of the plant tho. So far we had a couple of frosts last week just gone but has been relatively general warm autum days of about 20 deg with minimums of about 5 deg at night bar the couple of days when it frosted. I am in Tamworth NSW. Is this normal? And the same with my brussel sprouts?
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25 May 15, Vickie (Australia - temperate climate)
I think I read that too much nitrogen in the soil can cause this. Sorry. I don't know how to fix it.
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02 May 15, Vickie (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi. I have had a lot of issues with cabbage moth and caterpillars in the past. I'm a lazy gardener, and would also like to use as few chemicals as possible. I have found dead bees in my garden before. Last year I bought a fine net to cover my crop, and it worked beautifully! The sun still gets through, but no bugs can get in. Well worth the investment, as it will last me several years. Bunnings sells a version, or you can get them online from Diggers. Look for the fine mesh netting, not the bird netting.
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24 Apr 15, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi i have planted broccolini plants they are about 5-6weeks and they have very thin stems and they have already flowered yellow i am not to sure what to do please advise. cheers John
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19 Apr 15, (Australia - temperate climate)
Could you tell me whats eating the middle out of my broccalie and caulieflowers thanks
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12 Apr 15, Yu xing (Australia - temperate climate)
Tip is that you need 70 millimeters of water for Broccoli!
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14 Mar 15, Angela (Australia - temperate climate)
Please help. I live near Maitland NSW and was wondering what is the best brocoli plant to plant. Hardy.
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GREEN CATERPILLARS; these are from the white cabbage butterflies. The best organic method to this problem is to make lightweight frames of chicken wire. The butterlies are too large to get through and land on the leaves to lay their eggs.

- Peter

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