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

22 Sep 08, Alex (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
hello, first time broccoli planter. Planted in June. Lovely, big healthy looking plants but still no florettes. What have I done wrong??
23 Sep 08, Ben (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I am new to planting broccoli and have recently cut the main head off one of the broccoli plants. I have several side shoots off the same plant, do they get as big as the main head?. The reason i ask is i dont want to leave them too long and let them go to flower.
27 Sep 08, Kirsty (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Has anyone tried growing broccolini? Unfortunately we went on holiday during it's optimum harvest time and now it is going to seed. Should i try cutting it back or ripping it out(after collecting the seeds)? Can I eat the leaves?
29 Sep 08, Grahame (Australia - temperate climate)
Ben, they don't usually get as big as the main head. If one side head does go to flower break it off straight away as once broccoli sets flower you have little hope of stopping all the heads from flowering on that plant. Alex, how much fertiliser did you put in the soil before you planted them?
06 Oct 08, Kath (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have planted some broccoli seed in seedling trays, how long do you leave them there before transfering into garden. They seem to be taking for ever to grow. They are now about 10cm high and that is about 4-5 weeks after sowing the seeds. Are we on track?? Very new to all this, this is our first try. Thanks in advance.
11 Oct 08, Graham (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Had great first harvest but second round of growth is bitter and flowery. Any reason/s why?
11 Oct 08, Jacqui (Australia - temperate climate)
I grew a couple of nice broccoli plants from seedlings but two problems: 1) the head was rather 'soft' whilst on the plant - not crisp at all 2) it went to flower very quickly what do I do - Is there any use leaving the remaining stalk inthe ground (i pruned it all back) or should I give up and plant some more?
13 Jun 10, cathy (Australia - tropical climate)
Use a product called Success from Yates for caterpillar,mix into a spray bottle and use in the evening.It only targets caterpillar.
13 Oct 08, Grahame (Australia - temperate climate)
Jacqui, I would say your seedlings got stressed at some stage, they really need to be kept moist as seedlings or they can just bolt straight away as soon as they go in the ground. My guess is that they have not had enough water at some stage, it needs to be fairly consistent. Kath, I usually put my broccoli seedlings out when they have a good second or third sets of leaves. Sounds like yours are plenty big enough. Look underneath your punnet and if there seems to be a good root system coming through I say go for it. Good on you for having a go. I've been growing vegies for years and I learn new things about them every year...
13 Oct 08, Alex (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Not too much fertiliser Grahame, have just added a bit of potash. still no heads though :(
Showing 21 - 30 of 311 comments

I have planted some broccoli seed in seedling trays, how long do you leave them there before transfering into garden. They seem to be taking for ever to grow. They are now about 10cm high and that is about 4-5 weeks after sowing the seeds. Are we on track?? Very new to all this, this is our first try. Thanks in advance.

- Kath

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