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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28 Sep 14, anni (Australia - temperate climate)
Planted broccolini seedlings 6 weeks ago. There now have yellow flowers, so has the lot gone to seed before even producing any crop?
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29 Sep 14, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
It sounds like it. Did they get a bit dry or hot at any time? that would push them into flowering.
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08 Sep 14, (Australia - arid climate)
The thing to do to stop it going to seed is to get and eat it fast or freeze it.
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07 Sep 14, (Australia - temperate climate)
HELP - can someone please tell me why my broccoli and broccolinni are going straight to seed and if there is anything I can do to stop it - thanx in advance - temperate zone
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12 Sep 14, Lesley (Australia - temperate climate)
I had the same problem with the winter broccoli this year and I was giving it to the chooks - only to discover when I read on the seed packet that with this type of broccoli you eat the head complete with flowers, and the stem. Sorry I can't remember which broccoli it was
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06 Nov 14, Angie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
it will go to seed if it isn't getting enough water, food, and if it is to hot.. i grew 6 good size healthy plants in garden boxes in the middle of winter and they finished a week ago i got a huge crop of broccoli of them through out the prio months..in autumn im growing broccolini again i like to change every year..
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06 Sep 14, Mel handebo (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Have been trying to grow broccoli in barossa valley I planted in March of this year and went straight to seed. It got watered every night and fertilised every second day. I don't know what I'm doing wrong help?
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02 Nov 14, eliot (Australia - temperate climate)
planted too early, too much fertilizer. also, the Barossa is a temperate climate not subtropical, you want to treat your plant for the climate its in
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20 Aug 14, Craig smith (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Have brocolli 7weeks huge leaves look heathy no heads yet.
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21 Jul 14, Steve (Australia - arid climate)
Possibly boccolini or sprouting broccoli, I've got some that I planted at the end of April and only just look like there going to head
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Showing 141 - 150 of 313 comments
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Hi All, I live in Bundaberg & planted tomatoes as a beginner & they went berserk with lots of fruit. I am considering trying broccoli as my next attempt. My garden used to be an old sandpit, with the sand removed i filled it with garden soil & ginger compost. I intend to make it a bit deeper than the 200mm as is, but am open to whether or not I need too for broccoli. Also if anyone can tell me what pests i may get up here to be aware of. Many Blessings to all growers,

- Doug

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