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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26 Aug 08, Jen (Australia - temperate climate)
Just planted broccoli seedlings 1st time. If they are successful, can I take new seeds from them for a future crop?
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05 Jul 14, Dave (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi there,can I grow broccoli in Perth during winter?Though it's quite cold this winter we are still getting lots of sunny days.The frost hasn't seemed bad as yet and I was thinking of putting some clear plastic over them also.
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19 Aug 08, Jan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I'm a first time broccoli grower. Planted seedlings 10 weeks ago. Very healthy. Have 2" single heads at present. How do I cut them and at what size is best? Nothing attacking....yet. Planted next to parsley,shallots, same age eggplant, garlic chives and silverbeet. Oregano not far away. Saw 1 cabbage moth fly around them yesterday. Sprinkled Blood and Bone over garden a week ago and a small amount of watered down old horse manure ( from the nearby Pony Club. Is there anything more I should do? Buying mushroom compost this Thursday.
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13 Aug 08, Helen (Australia - tropical climate)
I've planted some broccoli from seedling 2 months ago. The stems were growing strong and healthy but there is no broccoli even they reach 1 meter high. What did I do wrong?
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06 Aug 08, josie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My broccoli have gone from juvenile heads to spreading out and flowering in a week. What have I done wrong?
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03 Aug 08, ~Mands! :o) (Australia - temperate climate)
Barbara ~ thanks for responding. They don't look like they are eating the broccoli head - more nestled in the leaves, stalks and florets in a web. I had a suggestion of using soapy water, which I have done to a few but they didn't seem to just 'fall off' and might need a flush and brush approach. The broc is now at 18 months of cutting, in with tomatoes actually so there might be something in the deterrent there as this started as the tomato all died back (I have injured my back, not in the garden as much) Chooks were more interested in the worms in the dirt, than the bugs.
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29 Jul 08, Barbara in Lane Cove (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I heard tomato foliage helps deter pests from broccoli. I spread tomato leaves amongst my broccoli plus stalks of rosemary for good measure, plus I had added fresh compost to the soil and mulch heavily with alfalfa. These are the healthiest broccoli I've ever grown and no bugs. Question: are the bugs eating the broccoli, or are the bugs eating something else that's on the broccoli?
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05 Jul 08, ~Mands! :o) (Australia - temperate climate)
I have several re-cropping broccoli - been in the ground for just over a year and still producing (although getting a bit woody!!). I have a black/brown/tan type bug beetle throughout. Zillions. What would it be? How can it be eradicated? Prefer natural solutions - soap? Chilli? What are good companions to deter? I've pulled up any plant inflicted but stupidly composted - hoping chooks will enjoy>> not a regular chook play area. Hoping advice is out there!!
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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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