Growing Broccoli

Brassica sp. : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
      S S              
        T T T          

(Best months for growing Broccoli in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • 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

26 Nov 10, Bernie Lazzaro (Australia - temperate climate)
Have grown broccoli before with great success in the backyard vegie patch,just a bit concerned with my crop at the moment with lots of long healthy leaves but does'nt seem to be any sign of the main flowerhead yet. It's been awhile since I grew the last crop and I can't remember when the flowerhead appeared or will they just grow through the long leaves,there's no sign of seeding yet either?
02 Jun 10, Leslie J Stout (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have a question:Would anyone know if you can you get sick from eating Broccoli to late when it is about to flower,cheers Les
07 Jan 11, Lily Flax (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes you can eat the flowers and buds , the Chinese do! Taste lovely in salads and the flowers can be deep fried in batter
09 May 10, Lucy (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Dogs are great like that. I love my dog but she does get in the way of my gardening. I put a strip of gaffa tape over the top of the jar that I embed in the soil, that way my dog can't stick her snout in. I only fill the jar up half way too. I've always been very anti-poison, but because of Tassie's bumper winter rainfall and summer heat the slugs are terrible this year, so I stuck some bait in a takeaway container with a hole cut out in the side. That way the dog can't get to it and the soil isn't contaminated either. Mind you the slugs still exist, it just slows them down a little...
30 May 10, Diana (Australia - temperate climate)
I experimented with lemon or orange peelings last year and it helped with the snail and slug problem. I put the peelings inside a container near the veggie bed in the afternoon. Early next morning, many snail and slug in the container. Easy method to dispose them.
22 Apr 10, mankimbo (Australia - temperate climate)
For slugs & snails a small jar buried to its top in the ground half filled with lite beer works best.You can then use the reamins as fertilzer for the bed. If you can't be bothered grinding up soap you can buy Lux Flakes that everyone used to wash their baby clothes in which you can then mix up with boiling water and dilute with cold water. Throw in some garlic, lemon and chilli, marinate over night, strain and water. You can't go wrong (hopefully).
05 May 10, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Only problem is the dog drinking/eating the beer/slug/snail mix. Clearly too tasty!
21 Mar 10, brian slane (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
does anyone know a good insecticide to apply to broccoli, cabbage etc. I would appreciate any suggestions. I have noted the one with the toilet soao. Thank you
05 May 10, Derek (Australia - tropical climate)
I use eco oil, it works fine.
16 Mar 10, Holly Weston (Australia - temperate climate)
Here is a really simple safe and terrific solution for those nasty caterpillars that eat broccoli. Just grate some ordinary toilet soap into a saucepan, about 1 tablespoon into a litre of water, heat it and stir until its dissolved and spray it thoroughly onto the broccoli. It may have to be sprayed again after rain. It works incredibly well in my garden and I never have a problem.
Showing 161 - 170 of 248 comments

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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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