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 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

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
24 Dec 14, Tanya (Australia - temperate climate)
I'm also in Victoria and found that cabbage moths were laying their eggs all over my cauliflower and broccoli. I found a great product called Dipel (Yates) which is basically a natural bacteria that rots the insides of the moth larvae yet is completely harmless to all other creatures. It's free of pesticides and can still be used by certified organic farmers as it contains no chemicals. I found it to be very effective
Reply or Post a new comment
12 Nov 14, Phil (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi to all, a remedy for snails/slugs, sprinkle some sawdust around your garden ( if rain-repeat ) You can eradacate ( caterpillars & other pests ) using PYRETHRUM ( read directions thoroughly ) kills pests in minutes and has a WHP ( with holding period ) of 1 day. Yates SUCCESS is similar & controls a lot of pests. Can be harmfull to BEES ( don't spray flowers EG zucc/squash etc ) Has WHP of 3 days & up to 14 on some fruits. Contains SPINOSAD as in tomatoe dust.
Reply or Post a new comment
11 Oct 14, Cathy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Do possums eat broccoli. Because something has eaten the vegetable in the early stages of growth and can I do about this & not touch the leaves.
Reply or Post a new comment
07 Feb 15, Rachael (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Possums will eat anything that humans eat. In other words, possums have a very healthy diet.
Reply or Post a new comment
07 Oct 14, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)
I have Baby Broccoli and B Cauli, and Broccoli in situ presently, all doing well. I planted them about 8 - 10 weeks ago. There is no sign of them "heading up" yet, but they have become very leafy, depriving other veges of light/heat. Is one able to prune this leafy foliage without it affecting their progress, or should they simply be left alone?
Reply or Post a new comment
28 Sep 14, anni (Australia - temperate climate)
Planted broccolini seedlings 6 weeks ago. There now have yellow flowers, so has the lot gone to seed before even producing any crop?
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Sep 14, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
It sounds like it. Did they get a bit dry or hot at any time? that would push them into flowering.
Reply or Post a new comment
07 Sep 14, (Australia - temperate climate)
HELP - can someone please tell me why my broccoli and broccolinni are going straight to seed and if there is anything I can do to stop it - thanx in advance - temperate zone
Reply or Post a new comment
12 Sep 14, Lesley (Australia - temperate climate)
I had the same problem with the winter broccoli this year and I was giving it to the chooks - only to discover when I read on the seed packet that with this type of broccoli you eat the head complete with flowers, and the stem. Sorry I can't remember which broccoli it was
Reply or Post a new comment
06 Nov 14, Angie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
it will go to seed if it isn't getting enough water, food, and if it is to hot.. i grew 6 good size healthy plants in garden boxes in the middle of winter and they finished a week ago i got a huge crop of broccoli of them through out the prio months..in autumn im growing broccolini again i like to change every year..
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 101 - 110 of 248 comments
See comments for all plants

hi i live on the gold coast qld .my plants have been planted late in the season .they do not produce much so i let them grow for the seeds .they have the seed pods going on .if i let them grow and seeds drop .will they grow next season or do i have to collect the seeds for the next season .

- marco

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.