Broccoli (Brassica oleracea) is a nutrient-rich
vegetable which can be used in a variety of ways. It can be eaten fresh,
lightly sautéed or used in stir fry, soup and pasta or rice-based entrees.
Additionally, growing broccoli is not difficult as long as you follow a few
simple broccoli growing tips.
How to Grow Broccoli
As a cool-season plant, knowing when to plant broccoli is
the key. If harvesting broccoli plants in midsummer is desired, it’s best to
start broccoli indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last
frost date. Sow seeds ¼ to ½ inch (6 to 13 mm.) deep in a quality seed-starting
mix or soil pellets.
As a rule of thumb, broccoli seeds germinate within 4 to 7
days when ambient temperatures remain between 45- and 85-degrees F. (7 to 29 C.).
For a fall crop, broccoli can be direct-seeded into the garden in midsummer.
Broccoli Growing Tips
When growing broccoli seedlings indoors, be sure to provide
plenty of light to prevent
plants from becoming leggy. If long stems develop, try repotting the
seedlings deeper (up to the first leaves) and then provide more light.
Wait until frost-free weather has arrived before
transplanting spring seedlings in the garden. Be sure to harden
plants off by gradually exposing broccoli seedlings to direct sunlight and
wind.
Space broccoli plants 12 to 24 inches (30 to 61 cm.) apart.
Providing more space between plants encourages larger central heads.
Broccoli prefers full sun. Choose a garden location which
provides a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Broccoli prefers a slightly acidic soil pH of 6 to 7. Try
growing broccoli in an organic, rich soil and fertilize
seedlings and young transplants to maintain steady growth. Use a balanced
fertilizer, as too much nitrogen promotes excessive leaf growth. Potassium and
phosphorus encourage bloom development.
Water regularly since broccoli grows best in moist, but not
soggy, soils. Mulch to control weeds and retain soil moisture levels.
To prevent disease and control pests, it’s best to plant
broccoli in an area of the garden where you haven’t grown Brassicaceae (cabbage
family) crops for four years. Row
covers can be used to protect transplants from cold snaps, pests and deer.
Harvesting Broccoli Plants
The edible part of the broccoli plant is the unopened flower.
Ideally, the central head should be harvested when it’s fully developed, but
before the individual buds open into small, yellow flowers.
Signs which indicate broccoli
is ready to harvest include a 4- to 7-inch (10 to 18 cm.) tight head with
large, dense flower buds. If the buds begin to open, harvest immediately. If
the plant
has bolted (is flowering), it’s too late to pick it.
To harvest, use a sharp knife to remove the central flower
head. Leaving the broccoli plant in the ground encourages side shoots (flower
heads) to develop. Although smaller than the central head, these side shoots
allow gardeners to continue harvesting broccoli for a longer period of time.
To maintain the quality of fresh-picked broccoli heads, it’s
recommended to harvest during the cool, morning hours and refrigerate as soon
as possible. Unwashed broccoli heads can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to
5 days. Blanched broccoli freezes well and maintains its quality for up to 12
months.
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea) is a nutrient-rich
vegetable which can be used in a variety of ways. It can be eaten fresh,
lightly sautéed or used in stir fry, soup and pasta or rice-based entrees.
Additionally, growing broccoli is not difficult as long as you follow a few
simple broccoli growing tips.
How to Grow Broccoli
As a cool-season plant, knowing when to plant broccoli is
the key. If harvesting broccoli plants in midsummer is desired, it’s best to
start broccoli indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last
frost date. Sow seeds ¼ to ½ inch (6 to 13 mm.) deep in a quality seed-starting
mix or soil pellets.
As a rule of thumb, broccoli seeds germinate within 4 to 7
days when ambient temperatures remain between 45- and 85-degrees F. (7 to 29 C.).
For a fall crop, broccoli can be direct-seeded into the garden in midsummer.
Broccoli Growing Tips
When growing broccoli seedlings indoors, be sure to provide
plenty of light to prevent
plants from becoming leggy. If long stems develop, try repotting the
seedlings deeper (up to the first leaves) and then provide more light.
Wait until frost-free weather has arrived before
transplanting spring seedlings in the garden. Be sure to harden
plants off by gradually exposing broccoli seedlings to direct sunlight and
wind.
Space broccoli plants 12 to 24 inches (30 to 61 cm.) apart.
Providing more space between plants encourages larger central heads.
Broccoli prefers full sun. Choose a garden location which
provides a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Broccoli prefers a slightly acidic soil pH of 6 to 7. Try
growing broccoli in an organic, rich soil and fertilize
seedlings and young transplants to maintain steady growth. Use a balanced
fertilizer, as too much nitrogen promotes excessive leaf growth. Potassium and
phosphorus encourage bloom development.
Water regularly since broccoli grows best in moist, but not
soggy, soils. Mulch to control weeds and retain soil moisture levels.
To prevent disease and control pests, it’s best to plant
broccoli in an area of the garden where you haven’t grown Brassicaceae (cabbage
family) crops for four years. Row
covers can be used to protect transplants from cold snaps, pests and deer.
Harvesting Broccoli Plants
The edible part of the broccoli plant is the unopened flower.
Ideally, the central head should be harvested when it’s fully developed, but
before the individual buds open into small, yellow flowers.
Signs which indicate broccoli
is ready to harvest include a 4- to 7-inch (10 to 18 cm.) tight head with
large, dense flower buds. If the buds begin to open, harvest immediately. If
the plant
has bolted (is flowering), it’s too late to pick it.
To harvest, use a sharp knife to remove the central flower
head. Leaving the broccoli plant in the ground encourages side shoots (flower
heads) to develop. Although smaller than the central head, these side shoots
allow gardeners to continue harvesting broccoli for a longer period of time.
To maintain the quality of fresh-picked broccoli heads, it’s
recommended to harvest during the cool, morning hours and refrigerate as soon
as possible. Unwashed broccoli heads can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to
5 days. Blanched broccoli freezes well and maintains its quality for up to 12
months.