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

30 Dec 11, tam (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I had big problems when first planted out my brocoli with something eating the leaves, no sign of caterpillars or moths, spoke to my uncle who used to pick veggies for living, he suggested mixing up 20ml biodegradable washing up liquid with 1000ml water and putting in a spray water bottle, spray the leaves top and bottom but not the head if developed, it worked nothing has touched my brocoli at all. i re spray every 3 weeks now but at first i sprayed every second or third day depending on rain.
02 Nov 11, Robert (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
All broccoli in my garden suffers at this time of year from rats. They are quite voracious and eat the heads and shoots but not the leaves. I fix the problem by feeding little green cakes of rat poison held in place with nails on the garden edging. They ate three boxes of the stuff over 4 nights.
19 Nov 11, dave (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
i had the same problen i fed rat bait for one week it turned out to be possums i got the experts in and traped 7 in 2 days problem solved!
03 Aug 11, georgi (Australia - tropical climate)
well rotted chook poo is the best but don't forget to also add some potash. dynamic lifter for veges as a short cut and protection from possible e coli
02 Aug 11, lauren (Australia - temperate climate)
While the information given is fantastic and helpful, especially as i am a novice, none of the plants note how much sun they like which i assumed was quite an important part of growing plants? I would like to grow Broccoli (among others) but my garden space does not get very much sun especially during winter.
06 Aug 11, jade (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
pretty well all vegies like full sun
19 Jul 11, Andrew Griffiths (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I always collect my broccoli seeds for replanting. The pods needs to be very dry or they will have black mould. Hold a bowl under the branches with the pods, crunch them in your hand and collect the seeds. I plant my boccoli a few inches apart, let them compete with each other, and pick the "broccolini" as they appear. The plants can continue to produce for five months. Even if the broccolini is trying to flower it can be picked and cooked. Put a nob of butter in a saucepan, fill with broccolini, cook slowly with the lid on, stirring occasionally so they don't stick. They will be dark green with strong flavour. My favourite vegetable.
06 Jul 11, Maryann (Australia - temperate climate)
Some broccolini I purchased has gone to seed and I was wondering if it would grow if I planted it? Could you please advise the method? Thankyou.
20 May 11, Diana (Australia - temperate climate)
Stan: Broccoli is very forgiving and grows very quickly when given plenty of high nitrogen food such as sheep manure. I always sprinkle a tiny amount of trace elements each time I add a new layer or 'stuff' to my raised beds (say once a year). To hurry them along, especially if your weather has turned cold or your planted late as I did, liquid fertalize every 3 weeks with Harvest or other organic liquid fert.
20 Apr 11, david young (Australia - temperate climate)
are broccolini leaves edible and if so how are they cooked thanks ?.
Showing 141 - 150 of 248 comments

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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