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 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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26 Jun 14, mick (Australia - temperate climate)
i brought broccoli from a local market as seedlings, planted growing well, matter a fact they are at least 45cm, but no sign of broccoli??? what am i doing wrong they have been in the ground at least 6 weeks, maybe more
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23 Jun 14, Lynne Smith (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
When and how to plant Broccoli in Durban...Thank you.
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09 Jun 14, Mothati Bagwasi Gabasiane (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Can you add fertiliser as additional nutrition to manure? If so which is best?
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04 Mar 14, bux coetzee (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
Need to plant in tunnels to provide broccoli in winter /what watering system best/ soil preparation particular requirements/ temp to maintain ? combine with other ie greenpeppers BUX
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03 Mar 14, Jacque Cubin (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
I am now 65 years old and don't remember broccoli being avaible when I was a chlid. In fact i'm thinking that i only became aware of it in the last 20 years or so. Can anyone answer my query please.
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29 Dec 13, Maria (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My broccoli have many , but many little leafs but not any head, it is like bush and don't produce nothing, or some of them have already little flowers, but still not head. If someone can help me with an explanation Thank you Maria
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01 Mar 14, KEVIN ATKINS (Australia - temperate climate)
Maria I think Dec is a little too early for the cooler temp leaf veg. I'd sow seed now,still warm enough to germinate or buy a punnet of seedlings which are more advanced. Plant them out keep the water up to them while young and they will go.Good luck Kev
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Showing 151 - 160 of 316 comments
See comments for all plants

I have fabulous success with broccoli year after year. I have a couple of tips that help prevent/delay bolting and a question. Tips: Keep broccoli moist. Never let it dry, especially during warmer weather. To retain moisture and drastically reduce weeds, use a heavy mulch. I use hay and I add a layer as soon as the bottom layer starts to break down. One bale of hay will mulch about 100' sq and costs about five bucks. I grow my broccoli with collards, cauliflower, cabbage, carrots and onions during the cooler weather and with whatever survives, pops up or I get around to planting (cause we have 5 growing seasons here). Now the question: Although I can grow broccoli that's so green it's blue, is 4' tall and 6' around and produces side shoots for three months...my husband HATES the variety! I'm aware of the difference in the flavor of this particular variety (Waltham 29). It has an extremely dense taste, similar to asparagus, which I love, but Eddie refuses to eat it so it's pointless to grow it! Any suggestions on a heading variety (heat tolerant) that's more like the market variety? I collect my seed, so I try to find heirlooms, open pollenated.

- Deanna

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