Growing Broccoli

Brassica sp. : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

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

(Best months for growing Broccoli in South Africa - Semi-arid 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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19 Oct 13, (Australia - arid climate)
Those long sprouts are delicious You may even have planted out a brocolini
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16 Aug 13, Adri (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
I have a problem after harvesting, sometimes everything is fine, broccoli lasts in the fridge for a week or two. Other times they turn yellow overnight, and also there is a problem with smell. When they smell it is so bad you cant have it in the house you have to bury perfectly fresh green broccoli heads... there doesn't seem to be a pattern, how do I harvest my beautiful broccoli to always have a good result?
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28 May 12, Keith (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
I live in Centurion, not far from Bronkhorstspruit and I use the Summer Rainfall area as my guideline. We did use the subtropical guidelines when we lived near Durban. Broccoli is perhaps the easiest of the Brassicas to grow, but you should start your crop as seedlings in August/ September and transplant each seedling into a 2-3 litre pot of compost in about August. Transplant to your garden - use about a half-square metre per plant, in late September. We still have broccoli heads in late May here now, but we are blessed with warm weather. Frost may strike any day...
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15 May 12, mamorena serothoane (South Africa - Humid sub-tropical climate)
i am in bronkhorstspruit, need to plant broccoli for the first time, i don't have any experience on it, could you please help with the following questions, when is the right time to plant broccoli, which cultivar could be good for my area and lastly what are production programs to follow e.g fertilization, pest control etc.
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Showing 11 - 14 of 14 comments
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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.

- Fourester

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