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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29 Jul 19, Rachael (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You can plant anything using the tropical guide on this site. You get good rain and should look into companion plantings to avoid pests, Good luck
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27 Apr 19, Katherine (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
We live on Norfolk Island and have just bought a house with a market garden and planted our first crop of broccoli 2 weeks ago. We have noticed the leaves have white squiggly lines on them and have small holes in them. We are planning on continuing the organic gardening of the previous owners.
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12 May 19, Danielle (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Katherine, the squiggly lines are from leaf miner and the holes in the leaves are from cabbage moth caterpillars. Check under the leaves for yellow eggs, and also pick off any caterpillars, i'd reccomend netting your broccoli.
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06 Mar 19, Terry (Australia - temperate climate)
In a 4 bed crop rotation is it safe to plant crops like brassicas in the same bed in both Autumn and Spring in the same year.
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06 Mar 19, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
You can plant brassicas year after year after year if you like but then you are not doing crop rotation are you .Read up about crop rotation to what it achieves.
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04 Jan 19, Patrick (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
My broccoli has now gone to flower. Do I leave it in, or pull it out and plant more next year? Can't find a website to tell me if I keep it or start again. Thanks.
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06 Jan 19, Mike Logan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Pull it out. It's life cycle is ending.
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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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Showing 31 - 40 of 248 comments
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Putting the leaves over the broccoli head won't achieve anything. It is natural with caulies. If the heads are not growing and turning yellow and you have small plants then I would say you didn't fertilise them enough. The heads should fully develop in about 7-10 days.

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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