The part we eat is actually the buds of the broccoli flower.
If left unharvested, the broccoli head would open into small greenish-yellow flowers.
Although mostbroccoliis green, there are also some delicious and beautiful purple varieties.
The Spruce / Alandra Chavarria
Broccoli has a moderate growth rate.
It is typically planted in the early to mid-spring for an early summer harvest.
And in warm climates, a late summer planting can yield a fall harvest.
The Spruce / Alandra Chavarria
Selecting a Planting Site
Pick a sunny spot that has good soil drainage for your broccoli.
Container growth is an option if you dont have a suitable garden site.
Some goodcompanion plants for broccoliinclude dill, rosemary, cucumber, and celery.
The Spruce / Alandra Chavarria
Spacing, Depth, and Support
Plant seeds roughly 1/2 inch deep and a few inches apart.
Rows should be 12 to 20 inches apart.
Likewise, thin seedlings to around 12 to 20 inches apart.
The Spruce / Alandra Chavarria
A support structure shouldnt be necessary.
Soil
Broccoli prefers a rich loamy soil with lots of organic matter.
Good drainage also is a must.
The Spruce / Alandra Chavarria
The soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral.
Water
Keep the soil moist but never soggy.
Also, water from the base of the plant, not overhead as this can promote rot.
Around 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week should suffice.
A layer of mulch can help to retain soil moisture.
Temperature and Humidity
Broccoli does best in temperatures between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperatures that are too hotabove roughly 80 degrees Fahrenheitcan cause bolting.
Humidity typically isnt a factor as long as theres optimal soil moisture and good air circulation around plants.
Fertilizer
Mix compost into the soil before planting to improve its nutrient content and drainage.
Then, fertilize using an organic low-nitrogen fertilizer starting a few weeks after seedlings emerge.
Repeat fertilization throughout the growing season, following label instructions.
Bees and other insects help to pollinate the flowers when they do bloom.
Broccoli rabe, or rapini, grows buds that look like those of broccoli.
But it doesnt form the large dense heads that broccoli does.
Harvesting Broccoli
Most broccoli varieties areready to harvestonce their heads reach the size of a large fist.
If you wait too long, the buds will open.
you’re free to still eat the stalks at that point, but they will be tougher.
Cut roughly 6 inches of stalk with the heads.
Wash the broccoli before storing in the refrigerator, where it should keep for around five days.
It also can be blanched and frozen for roughly a year.
Plus, containers can sometimes protect plants from garden pests and diseases.
Choose a container thats at least a foot wide and deep per broccoli plant.
confirm it has drainage holes.
Pruning
Pruning generally isn’t necessary for broccoli plants.
However, you should promptly remove any damaged or diseased stems before they can weaken the whole plant.
Youll save seeds typically in the summer or fall, depending on when youve planted your broccoli.
To start them in a container, use a shallow tray filled with moist seed-starter mix.
Potting and Repotting Broccoli
A quality organic vegetable potting mix should be sufficient for potting broccoli.
Just ensure it’s rich in organic matter and drains well.
Overwintering
As broccoli is generally grown as an annual, no overwintering maintenance will be necessary.
Themost common broccoli pestsinclude cabbage loopers, cabbageworms, cabbageroot maggots, and aphids.
Row covers can help to prevent infestations.
Common diseases include blackleg, black rot, and clubroot.
However, growth rate can differ by variety.
Broccoli is technically a biennial, completing its lifecycle in two growing seasons.
However, most people grow it as an annual to harvest before it flowers and goes to seed.
