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
29 Jul 19, Rachael (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You can plant anything using the tropical guide on this site. You get good rain and should look into companion plantings to avoid pests, Good luck
Reply or Post a new comment
27 Apr 19, Katherine (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
We live on Norfolk Island and have just bought a house with a market garden and planted our first crop of broccoli 2 weeks ago. We have noticed the leaves have white squiggly lines on them and have small holes in them. We are planning on continuing the organic gardening of the previous owners.
Reply or Post a new comment
12 May 19, Danielle (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Katherine, the squiggly lines are from leaf miner and the holes in the leaves are from cabbage moth caterpillars. Check under the leaves for yellow eggs, and also pick off any caterpillars, i'd reccomend netting your broccoli.
Reply or Post a new comment
06 Mar 19, Terry (Australia - temperate climate)
In a 4 bed crop rotation is it safe to plant crops like brassicas in the same bed in both Autumn and Spring in the same year.
Reply or Post a new comment
06 Mar 19, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
You can plant brassicas year after year after year if you like but then you are not doing crop rotation are you .Read up about crop rotation to what it achieves.
Reply or Post a new comment
04 Jan 19, Patrick (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
My broccoli has now gone to flower. Do I leave it in, or pull it out and plant more next year? Can't find a website to tell me if I keep it or start again. Thanks.
Reply or Post a new comment
06 Jan 19, Mike Logan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Pull it out. It's life cycle is ending.
Reply or Post a new comment
15 Sep 18, C (Australia - temperate climate)
Broccoli variety for warmer weather, Melbourne spring
Reply or Post a new comment
16 Sep 18, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
Look up some seed selling websites and pick the one you want to grow.
Reply or Post a new comment
29 Aug 18, hayden (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
i live in hanmer springs, i have grown broccoli under greenhouse to protect from harsh frosts we get here. they have grown all through winter and i harvested the heads few weeks ago, and have been eating the side shoots ever since. june july they stopped growing hibernated, but last month has seen warmish temps so evrything has shot away. greenhouses are great.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 31 - 40 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.