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 Oct 12, Terry (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Perth and have just finished a beautiful harvest of my broccoli. I'm going to plant some more seedlings today. If you are not getting any heads developing give them a dose of Potassium Permanganate. Five or so grains in a 9 litre watering can, weak enough so you can see the bottom of the can. Good for any vegetable or flower not producing flowers! Give it to them twice 2 or 3 weeks apart.
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28 Dec 12, Di (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Thank you for that great tip Terry. I will give the Potassium Permanganate a whirl for the toms I have that don't seem to be putting out many flowers!! Hmmm I just might try it on the caulies too!! Cheers Di.
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08 Jun 12, George Gilchrist (Australia - temperate climate)
Live in Perth. Broccoli has very healthy growth, but no heads developing. Any suggestions will be gratefully received.
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11 Jun 12, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
It could be too early in the season for the flower heads to develop, or maybe a bit much nitrogen promoting lots of leaf growth. Have a look down the stems - you might see head buds starting to emerge above where the leaves join the stem.
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02 May 12, Diane Bailey (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I live near Coffs Harbour on the mid-north coast. I have never been successful in growng broccoli or cauliflower. Can they be grown in polystyrene boxes or planted into the garden. What type of fertilizer etc. should be used? I have no idea as to what I have been doing wrong. Any suggestions would be most welcome.
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02 Apr 12, Claudia (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Can I plant broccoli in the same garden bed I have just removed tomato plants from? I've just added some blood and bone to the soil to freshen it up also.
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03 Jan 12, Lisa (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I note some plants say don't plant with certain types. does this just mean not in same garden bed? or not at same time? so one after the other? or same time but seperate beds? I have yet to start a vegie garden and am trying to decide what i'd like to plant and when. and broccolli and tomato are plants i'd like to attempt growing. thanks for any tips
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08 Jan 12, kate (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
companioning planting is In the same garden bed Each garden bed should have it's own companion planting for whatever vegetables you are planting at that time. If it statesa vegetable with another one, but you can't plant the other one due to a months difference, it doesnt matter, cause once you put that other plant into companion the other original plant, it still works well, due to the timing of the plants for when they are meant to grow
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23 Oct 11, Zoe (Australia - temperate climate)
What soil type does broccoli grow in best?
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16 Oct 11, leah (Australia - temperate climate)
what would be eating my brocolini??? is growing really well but i don't want to share with the bugs!!! what can i use that is natural to keep bugs off?? or maybe plant next to it as deterent?? any suggestions?
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Why does our plants only produce really small main heads of broccoli, the plants appear to be really healthy.

- Tania hodges

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