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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09 Mar 09, Megan (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
how do you plant broccoli?
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10 Mar 09, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Tamera you should cut off the flowering head - you'll still get other smaller broccoli around it. Broccoli is simply the flower head that had not yet flowered. It tends to taste a bit bitter when the yellow flowers are out, so it's best to harvest your broccoli before it flowers. Cutting the the broccoli heads encourages more broccoli to come. So don't leave the flowers on the plant or it may stop producing broccoli.
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10 Mar 09, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Megan, Nathan, The books say to plant broccoli 40-50 cm apart, though I usually plant them 30 cms apart I also plant some white flowers and also marigolds in between the broccoli to try to hide their smell from the cabbage moths. It does slow the moths down, but netting also keeps them off, along with a good hunt around for any stray caterpillars laid by very persistent cabbage moths.
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15 Mar 09, Tamera (Australia - temperate climate)
Thankyou for your help Barb! :)
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16 Mar 09, Declan (Australia - temperate climate)
a great way to keep crows of your garden is put rubber snakes in your garden
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28 Mar 09, Kat (Australia - temperate climate)
Is it to hot to grow broccoli in full sun in the WA Goldfields
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03 Apr 09, stacy (Australia - temperate climate)
My brocoli has come up with lovely big leaves, but unfortunately I have hundreds of little brown bugs all over the buds and underside of the leaves - I am told they are aphids. I have tried 1 part mild 10 parts water sprayed on them but no luck, they are still there. Any ideas as I really don't want to use pesticide !! Thanks Stacy
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10 Apr 09, Maree (Australia - temperate climate)
whats the best way to get rid of the green catterpillars that eat away at the broccoli?
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11 Apr 09, Leah (Australia - temperate climate)
Barb, Thank you for the tip about keeping Marigolds near your broccoli plants to mask their smell from Cabbage Moths. I have just started to notice a Cabbage moth hanging around my broccoli and cabbage plants that I grow in pots and I have found one or two green caterpillars on my plants as well. I'm heading off to get some Marigold plants in the morning.
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15 Apr 09, Hawkesbury Pete (Australia - temperate climate)
I have resorted to a light dusting of Derris Dust on my plants as the cabbage moth is so rampant. It has allowed them to strive ahead with success. The moths have now moved onto my succulents which are easier to see and pick off.
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It is the beginning of April, can I plant my seeds for Broccoli now.

- Heather curtis

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