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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15 Sep 18, C (Australia - temperate climate)
Broccoli variety for warmer weather, Melbourne spring
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16 Sep 18, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
Look up some seed selling websites and pick the one you want to grow.
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29 Aug 18, hayden (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
i live in hanmer springs, i have grown broccoli under greenhouse to protect from harsh frosts we get here. they have grown all through winter and i harvested the heads few weeks ago, and have been eating the side shoots ever since. june july they stopped growing hibernated, but last month has seen warmish temps so evrything has shot away. greenhouses are great.
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16 Aug 18, KOBAMO NTWAETSILE (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
greetings farmers. I need advice on how and when to produce broccoli vegetable in Botswana. the good responsive type for our climate condition. thanks in advance
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27 Jul 18, Ann (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
First time of growing broccoli we had brought from nursery and planted they have just not long got a head and have notice that there is little ones on the plant also from what I have been reading through that doesn't usually happen til after the main head has been cut but for some reason it is just wondering if this has happened to anybody else
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30 Jul 18, Mike L (Australia - temperate climate)
My broccoli last year/this year were like that. My plants were way too big (too much Nitrogen) - all leaf and very little heads. Try planting after a crop that has used the N and if you have to, add a bit of fertiliser when the plants are half grown. A small amount.
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01 Aug 18, Ann (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Thanks for that I do put seasol on them every couple weeks as I have a few different things growing in the same area so it all gets done
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10 Aug 18, (Australia - tropical climate)
If you prepare your ground before hand and have added compost/manure/fertiliser then the plants won't need any more feed while growing.
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24 Jul 18, Steve (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I'm growing broccolini, they are shooting but they're changing into yellow flowers. what should I do? this is my first time ever that I'm trying growing them. Thanks
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25 Jul 18, Frank (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
You should have picked them before they flowered.
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Showing 61 - 70 of 313 comments
See comments for all plants

Hi All, I live in Bundaberg & planted tomatoes as a beginner & they went berserk with lots of fruit. I am considering trying broccoli as my next attempt. My garden used to be an old sandpit, with the sand removed i filled it with garden soil & ginger compost. I intend to make it a bit deeper than the 200mm as is, but am open to whether or not I need too for broccoli. Also if anyone can tell me what pests i may get up here to be aware of. Many Blessings to all growers,

- Doug

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