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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18 Jul 15, Natalie Bedford (Australia - temperate climate)
Your better of with the purple broccoli but I'd also give the green a go just to see. But the purple is more hardy.
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18 Jan 15, jefrey phili (South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical climate)
When to plant broccoli and how to control pest in broccoli? (For planting check under 'Broccoli' in the calendar. Liz)
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06 Jan 15, Isiaka (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
I an actually in Lagos, Nigeria. The weather here is tropical humid and we have rain from February to November. Please when is the best time to plant Broccoli and cauliflower in my area? And do I start start indoor or outdoor? Thanks
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26 Jan 15, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi there Isiaka, I am in a cool growing are but this website gives guides to several different growing climates so I just changed the climate to Tropical and there it suggest to sow seeds in April and transplant seedlings in May June and July... you should have a look at the tropical location growing chart it may give you some info that suits your location. Happy gardening Jen
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12 Dec 14, Natasha (Australia - temperate climate)
Snails and bugs have eaten the leaves off my cauliflower and broccoli :( is there anyway I can revive them? Or do I just rip them out and start over? I live in Victoria and have put down copper tape to stop the snails, please not I do not want to use any chemicals as I would like to grow organic :)
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24 Dec 14, Tanya (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm also in Victoria and found that cabbage moths were laying their eggs all over my cauliflower and broccoli. I found a great product called Dipel (Yates) which is basically a natural bacteria that rots the insides of the moth larvae yet is completely harmless to all other creatures. It's free of pesticides and can still be used by certified organic farmers as it contains no chemicals. I found it to be very effective
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12 Nov 14, Phil (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi to all, a remedy for snails/slugs, sprinkle some sawdust around your garden ( if rain-repeat ) You can eradacate ( caterpillars & other pests ) using PYRETHRUM ( read directions thoroughly ) kills pests in minutes and has a WHP ( with holding period ) of 1 day. Yates SUCCESS is similar & controls a lot of pests. Can be harmfull to BEES ( don't spray flowers EG zucc/squash etc ) Has WHP of 3 days & up to 14 on some fruits. Contains SPINOSAD as in tomatoe dust.
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11 Oct 14, Cathy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Do possums eat broccoli. Because something has eaten the vegetable in the early stages of growth and can I do about this & not touch the leaves.
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07 Feb 15, Rachael (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Possums will eat anything that humans eat. In other words, possums have a very healthy diet.
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07 Oct 14, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)
I have Baby Broccoli and B Cauli, and Broccoli in situ presently, all doing well. I planted them about 8 - 10 weeks ago. There is no sign of them "heading up" yet, but they have become very leafy, depriving other veges of light/heat. Is one able to prune this leafy foliage without it affecting their progress, or should they simply be left alone?
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Hello When you say PLANT in garden is that the seed to plant in the garden where they going to grow or seedlings ? Many Thanks Lee-Ann

- Lee-Ann Connolly

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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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