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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14 Sep 09, Emily (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Broccoli growers!! My broccoli has now gone to flower, with plenty of little sprouts forming. Shall i leave this in the ground to eventually replenish and grow again, or shall i whip it out of the garden? Cheers
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30 Aug 09, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Iainie, you may be growing sprouting broccoli which will not produce a compact head but lots of loose ones. When the weather is hot and/or dry broccoli will flower quite quickly.
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30 Aug 09, lainie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
My brocoli grows beautifully, and healthy leaves. Its a totally organic garden, and the majority of the soil is well broken down horse manure. however i cant seem to get heads to form. when they do they go straight to flower. Why is this happening?
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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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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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