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 7°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 35 - 50 cm 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
  • Nearly ready for harvest
  • Early stage
  • Side shoot regrowth after main head cut

Keep well-watered as seedlings. If left without water they will bolt to seed and be inedible. The plants should grow to develop plenty of large healthy leaves, then the green flowerheads follow, which are cut for eating. Leave the plant growing after cutting the main flowerhead, and get additional crops from the sideshoots which will develop.

Watch for cabbage white butterflies and remove the eggs and caterpillars as soon as possible.

There are two main types of broccoli. The purple sprouting is hardier. The heading varieties cope well with warmer weather.

Once a plant opens its yellow flowers then it is generally past eating as the flavour gets a bit overpowering and the plant gets very woody. Harvest them sooner rather than later.

'Broccolini' is a variety grown for the edible stalks. Grow fast with plenty of water and food, and pick as soon as possible.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Broccoli

The stem (peeled), leaves, and flowerhead are all edible.

Steam for best flavour. Peel large stalks, slice and steam.
Goes well with blue cheese sauce.

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
13 Dec 23, STEVE (USA - Zone 8b climate)
is now a good time for Brocclli Planting?
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13 Dec 23, (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Best to wait until January/February if you can
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26 Jul 22, Fourester (USA - Zone 8a climate)
I tried seeding broccoli in mini pots for a fall crop, and apparently too much sun scorched the seedlings even though they were well watered. How much daily sun exposure should they get during 90 degree F temperatures? I am at home most days, so I can move them around.
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27 Jul 22, Cynthia Maniglia (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I sowed mine yesterday indoors under grow lights and will plant in the flower beds after they get bigger and acclimate them to the heat. I saved seeds from broccoli plants I had in the bed last fall that I let go to seed. I would give yours morning sun and afternoon shade until temps get a lottle cooler.
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18 May 21, (USA - Zone 10a climate)
I live in zone 10. It is now May and my broccoli has, of course, stopped producing. If I leave them in their pots thru the sumner, will they produce again in the fall?
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28 Jul 23, dz (USA - Zone 10a climate)
I also have broccoli in containers that never produced well - they bolt - and stopped flowering when it got too warm, but are still alive, and one has recently started some new green leaf growth, so I will keep tending them and see if they produce any edible heads this winter.
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05 Jan 21, Mark (USA - Zone 9b climate)
What is a good varietall of broccoli for zone 9b?
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06 Jan 21, (USA - Zone 4b climate)
Go to a seed selling website and look at different broccoli. Most broccoli will grow in a variety of climates. Each climate will have a preferred planting time.
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12 Jun 20, April (USA - Zone 5b climate)
Could I plant broccoli from seed now for a fall crop?
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14 Jun 19, Patricia Foster (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Here in central Florida, we grew enormous broccoli plants but they never produced anything, even after six months growing. We put the seedlings in the ground in October in a marl soil that retains moisture and also used plenty of compost and some 10-10-10. Any ideas what went wrong or what we should do to amend the soil?
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Showing 1 - 10 of 23 comments
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Ben, they don't usually get as big as the main head. If one side head does go to flower break it off straight away as once broccoli sets flower you have little hope of stopping all the heads from flowering on that plant. Alex, how much fertiliser did you put in the soil before you planted them?

- Grahame

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