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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23 Aug 09, Gus (Australia - temperate climate)
When you cut the head of broccoli will it shoot again and give another head? I have done this and now have tiny heads shooting Will they come to anything?
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01 Aug 09, ian todd (New Zealand - temperate climate)
What's the best way to trim sprouting broccoli to keep the plant producing please?
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01 Jul 09, Sonja (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Ok I am in Canberra and first time broccoli grower...well even first time vegetable grower. I planted these seedlings around Anzac day. I am just now seeing a head forming in the middle. Some questions: Is there anything I shld be doing now to ensure this growth i.e regular fertiliser, covering plant to protect etc. There doesn't seem to be any problems with pests at the moment so fingers crossed. Just using snail bate at the moment. Any help would be appreciated. I really want to be successful at this.
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04 Jun 09, ron simpson (Australia - temperate climate)
my broccoli has grown well but the heads are very spread out and not compact,would anyone have any clues why.
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28 May 09, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
broccoli leaves can be blanched 1.5 to 2 min. then can be used for stuffed cabbge rolls, their excellent
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26 May 09, James (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Trish, your broccoli plants need their leaves to grow good size heads. So keep trimming to a minimum. Certainly, you can eat the leaves but you might find them a bit tough.
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17 May 09, Trish (Australia - tropical climate)
started 2 metre square gardens about 6 weeks ago. I have marigolds next to the broccoli and the broccoli is growing GREAT but is growing so fast it is putting my bush peas in shadow. is it ok to cut off a few of the broccoli leaves and if so can you use them in stir fry, or is it straight to the compost? thanks
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08 May 09, Dawn (Australia - temperate climate)
Kate - Vegetables prefer deep pots, they need room to develop a good root system Wine barrels cut in half are great, large terra cotta pots will absorb water whereas large plastic pots are good. Only plant miniature broccoli. Plant the broccolis one plant per pot so they don't crowd. Because they are slow growing, pop in some quick growing lettuces in between as a filler. Vegies that do well in pots are tomatoes green leafy vegetables such as lettuce, salad greens, rocket and parsley herbs such as thyme, oregano and sage snow peas (remember to use a climbing frame) potatoes beans, eggplants,spinach, silver beet and chillies
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05 May 09, jesse (Australia - temperate climate)
i am wondering what the best type of broccoli is to plant in the toowoombe region
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04 May 09, Dawn (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I was so excited to use the egg shells and get rid of the green catapillar. Now, welcome the grey aphid! After much research I have found that native Aust. ladybirds and lacewings do the trick. After even MORE research I've found where to buy them: (I cannot post a web link) bugs for bugs (dot com, dot au)
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Showing 241 - 250 of 313 comments
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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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