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

27 Jul 22, Cynthia Maniglia (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I sowed mine yesterday indoors under grow lights and will plant in the flower beds after they get bigger and acclimate them to the heat. I saved seeds from broccoli plants I had in the bed last fall that I let go to seed. I would give yours morning sun and afternoon shade until temps get a lottle cooler.
18 May 21, (USA - Zone 10a climate)
I live in zone 10. It is now May and my broccoli has, of course, stopped producing. If I leave them in their pots thru the sumner, will they produce again in the fall?
28 Jul 23, dz (USA - Zone 10a climate)
I also have broccoli in containers that never produced well - they bolt - and stopped flowering when it got too warm, but are still alive, and one has recently started some new green leaf growth, so I will keep tending them and see if they produce any edible heads this winter.
02 May 21, mary Olenick (Canada - Zone 5b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
I tried to grow broccoli once in garden boxes. they grew very tall and spindly but the heads didn't amount to much. What am I doing wrong?
04 May 21, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
They were probably too crowded together and not enough light. Broccoli need about 25 - 30 cm square each as a minimum.
28 Feb 21, Richard (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, how soon should I net my broccoli if at all? Thank you
01 Mar 21, Anonymous (Australia - temperate climate)
Any time after planting. Rain is the starting point of insects and grubs so keep an eye on them after rain. I would net after the last weeding you are going to do.
15 Feb 21, Wayne (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I plant broccoli in the same bed as tomatoes after I have removed the used tomato plants. Also my Broccoli grew big and leafy but the fruit itself bolted and flowered immediately???? They were very well watered and a mild summer here?
16 Feb 21, Anonymous (Australia - temperate climate)
You can grow anything after anything as long as you prepare the soil well for the next crop. People talk about crop rotation, it doesn't have to happen that way, It grew big and leafy because you over fertilised. It probably bolted and flowered because you were growing it into hotter weather. It says here you can plant Sept to Nov. Depending on you temperatures I wouldn't be planting that time of the year unless you have quite cool weather into Xmas. General rule you plant winter harvesting crops late summer early autumn and summer harvesting crops after the cool/cold winter.
05 Jan 21, Mark (USA - Zone 9b climate)
What is a good varietall of broccoli for zone 9b?
Showing 11 - 20 of 313 comments

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

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.