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

30 May 10, Diana (Australia - temperate climate)
I experimented with lemon or orange peelings last year and it helped with the snail and slug problem. I put the peelings inside a container near the veggie bed in the afternoon. Early next morning, many snail and slug in the container. Easy method to dispose them.
22 Apr 10, mankimbo (Australia - temperate climate)
For slugs & snails a small jar buried to its top in the ground half filled with lite beer works best.You can then use the reamins as fertilzer for the bed. If you can't be bothered grinding up soap you can buy Lux Flakes that everyone used to wash their baby clothes in which you can then mix up with boiling water and dilute with cold water. Throw in some garlic, lemon and chilli, marinate over night, strain and water. You can't go wrong (hopefully).
05 May 10, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Only problem is the dog drinking/eating the beer/slug/snail mix. Clearly too tasty!
21 Mar 10, brian slane (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
does anyone know a good insecticide to apply to broccoli, cabbage etc. I would appreciate any suggestions. I have noted the one with the toilet soao. Thank you
05 May 10, Derek (Australia - tropical climate)
I use eco oil, it works fine.
16 Mar 10, Holly Weston (Australia - temperate climate)
Here is a really simple safe and terrific solution for those nasty caterpillars that eat broccoli. Just grate some ordinary toilet soap into a saucepan, about 1 tablespoon into a litre of water, heat it and stir until its dissolved and spray it thoroughly onto the broccoli. It may have to be sprayed again after rain. It works incredibly well in my garden and I never have a problem.
15 May 10, Steve (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Are you sure the broccoli will still be safe and tasty to eat after spraying with soap?
07 Mar 10, richa (Australia - temperate climate)
I tried growing broccoli and cauli.Last season they grow well but no vegetable came out.what did i do wrong?i used cow manure and blood and bone.Please also tell me name of the chemical free pesticide for vegetable and herb .
04 Mar 10, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Snails and white cabbage butterfly (green) caterpillars will skeletonise plants almost overnight. Caterpillars have just eaten all my baby kale when they were "unsupervised" for a couple of days..
17 Feb 10, Jacqueline (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I planted broccolini's last week and they seemed to be doing really well until this morning. I was greeted with just stems this morning, everything has been eaten off all of them but the stems! Help! Can the plants be salvaged and what could be the culprit?
Showing 221 - 230 of 313 comments

Ah yes - I have just discovered the same problem as belle. My broccoli was growing fine - and now I have discovered lots of green caterpillars all over them!! What can I do? I have tried pulling them off - but what is to say they wont come back? Will this stop me from getting heads/florets?

- Joanna

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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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