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

23 Jan 09, SlickMick (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Val and Mary, Stand the flowerettes in salty water for a little while before cooking. This usually gets rid of the grub
12 Jan 09, Mary Wright (Australia - temperate climate)
I too have problems with the green caterpillers, but, a spray made up of garlic, liquid soap and water seems to have done the trick. Also, planting marigolds in between plants.
10 Jan 09, Val Thomson (Australia - temperate climate)
my brocolli heads are large and tight and its not until I cook that that the caterpillers appear. Is there a way to remove them before cooking.
14 Dec 08, Anthony (Australia - temperate climate)
Just brought some marathon brocolli seedlings and am living in Perth, WA. Would this variety right for growing in a hot perth summer? Will be planting mid December.
13 Dec 08, Adam (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Love dynamic lifter to bring on florets
09 Dec 08, Joanna (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Ah yes - I have just discovered the same problem as belle. My broccoli was growing fine - and now I have discovered lots of green caterpillars all over them!! What can I do? I have tried pulling them off - but what is to say they wont come back? Will this stop me from getting heads/florets?
26 Nov 08, peter smythe (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Hobart, Tasmania. I put about 10 broccoli seedlings in about late August/early September. At the moment they have massive leaves but no heads/florets. Did I plant them too early? Should I pull all of them out?
14 Nov 08, peter smythe (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I planted about 10 lots of Broccoli seedlings in late August/early September. At the moment they have huge leaves but no centre heads. Should I pull them all out or wait a while?
09 Nov 08, stuart (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
We came out this morning to find our beautiful mature broccoli heads chewed off !!!. I can only think possums but we live in a suburban area, any ideas please help....
07 Nov 08, belle (Australia - temperate climate)
I have planted some broccoli which is growing nicely. However I came home today to find all my plants leaves chewed to pieces. On closer inspection I noticed smallish green caterpillars all over the leaves. I picked them all off straight away! What are these and how do I stop them coming back? Any tips would be great. Thanks
Showing 211 - 220 of 248 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Broccoli

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.