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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24 Dec 14, Tanya (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm also in Victoria and found that cabbage moths were laying their eggs all over my cauliflower and broccoli. I found a great product called Dipel (Yates) which is basically a natural bacteria that rots the insides of the moth larvae yet is completely harmless to all other creatures. It's free of pesticides and can still be used by certified organic farmers as it contains no chemicals. I found it to be very effective
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12 Nov 14, Phil (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi to all, a remedy for snails/slugs, sprinkle some sawdust around your garden ( if rain-repeat ) You can eradacate ( caterpillars & other pests ) using PYRETHRUM ( read directions thoroughly ) kills pests in minutes and has a WHP ( with holding period ) of 1 day. Yates SUCCESS is similar & controls a lot of pests. Can be harmfull to BEES ( don't spray flowers EG zucc/squash etc ) Has WHP of 3 days & up to 14 on some fruits. Contains SPINOSAD as in tomatoe dust.
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11 Oct 14, Cathy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Do possums eat broccoli. Because something has eaten the vegetable in the early stages of growth and can I do about this & not touch the leaves.
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07 Feb 15, Rachael (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Possums will eat anything that humans eat. In other words, possums have a very healthy diet.
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07 Oct 14, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)
I have Baby Broccoli and B Cauli, and Broccoli in situ presently, all doing well. I planted them about 8 - 10 weeks ago. There is no sign of them "heading up" yet, but they have become very leafy, depriving other veges of light/heat. Is one able to prune this leafy foliage without it affecting their progress, or should they simply be left alone?
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28 Sep 14, anni (Australia - temperate climate)
Planted broccolini seedlings 6 weeks ago. There now have yellow flowers, so has the lot gone to seed before even producing any crop?
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29 Sep 14, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
It sounds like it. Did they get a bit dry or hot at any time? that would push them into flowering.
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07 Sep 14, (Australia - temperate climate)
HELP - can someone please tell me why my broccoli and broccolinni are going straight to seed and if there is anything I can do to stop it - thanx in advance - temperate zone
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12 Sep 14, Lesley (Australia - temperate climate)
I had the same problem with the winter broccoli this year and I was giving it to the chooks - only to discover when I read on the seed packet that with this type of broccoli you eat the head complete with flowers, and the stem. Sorry I can't remember which broccoli it was
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06 Nov 14, Angie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
it will go to seed if it isn't getting enough water, food, and if it is to hot.. i grew 6 good size healthy plants in garden boxes in the middle of winter and they finished a week ago i got a huge crop of broccoli of them through out the prio months..in autumn im growing broccolini again i like to change every year..
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By the info I provided below and your concern about growing broccoli near beans, you can grow near dwarf but not recommended near climbing. By the sounds of it climbing beans need to climb (twine) up a trellis/pole etc. Broad beans do not do this, therefore I would call BB dwarf beans. JMO.

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