Broccoli is a popular cool-weather vegetable that offers a delicious and nutritious harvest. Whether you are planting a spring or fall crop, understanding broccoli varieties, proper planting techniques, and pest management will help you enjoy a productive garden.
Click here to access the complete Broccoli Growing Guide (PDF) for detailed information on soil preparation, planting, and long-term care.
Types of Broccoli
• Calabrese: Short-season Italian variety with thick stems and dark green heads. Produces one large head and many side shoots.
• Raab: Italian heirloom known for tender flower shoots and strap-leaves. Best for cool weather but not suitable for cold winters.
• Romanesco: Hybrid between broccoli and cauliflower with spiral heads and a nutty flavor. Long-season variety.
• Purple Sprouting: Cold-hardy to below 10°F, producing sweet purple heads in spring. Suitable for fall planting.
• Chinese (Chinese Kale): Grown for its succulent stalks and flavorful leaves. Slightly bitter, best harvested when buds are closed.
Best Growing Conditions for Broccoli
Soil and Temperature:
• pH: 6.0–7.0
• Preferred Temperature: 60–65°F (Tolerates 40–75°F)
• Seed Longevity: About 3 years when stored properly.
Planting and Spacing:
• Spacing: Sow seeds 4–6 inches apart, thin to 12–24 inches, with rows 18–36 inches apart.
• Companion Plants: Beets, spinach, chard, garlic, potatoes, cucumbers, rosemary.
• Incompatible Plants: Cabbage, cauliflower, eggplant, beans, tomatoes, strawberries.
Watering and Fertilizing Broccoli
• Watering: Use drip or furrow irrigation to water deeply at soil level and prevent stunted growth. Maintain consistent moisture using mulch.
• Fertilization: Broccoli is a heavy feeder. Apply side dressings of nitrogen (e.g., feather meal or blood meal) every 4 weeks, tapering off after heads form. Use nitrogen-fixing cover crops like PV Soil Builder Mix or Nitro-Max Plow Down Mix in crop rotations.
How to Plant and Grow Broccoli
Spring Planting:
• Start Indoors: 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
• Transplant Outdoors: 2–3 weeks before the last spring frost. Use Agribon AG15 row covers for protection.
• Mulch: To suppress weeds and retain moisture.
Fall Planting:
• Direct Sow: Between July and August, or 85–100 days before the first fall frost.
• Best for Mild Winter Climates: Purple sprouting broccoli is ideal for late summer to fall planting as it thrives in cool weather and overwinters well.
• Watering: Maintain consistent moisture and mulch for temperature regulation.
Harvesting Broccoli
• When to Harvest: Cut heads while they are still tight, before they split or bolt. Use a sharp knife to cut at an angle, leaving 6 inches of stem attached.
• Side Shoots: After harvesting the main head (except Romanesco), continue harvesting side shoots for extended production.
• Purple Sprouting: Ideal for early spring harvest after overwintering.
Common Broccoli Pests and Diseases
Pests:
• Aphids: Found on leaf undersides or flower heads. Control with strong water sprays, beneficial insects (like ladybugs), or organic insecticides.
• Lepidopteran Pests: Includes cabbage loopers, armyworms, and cabbage worms. Hand-pick, use beneficial insects, or organic insecticides.
• Flea Beetles: Cause tiny holes in leaves. Use sticky traps, row covers, or organic insecticides.
• Harlequin Bugs: Create white spots on leaves. Hand-pick or use row covers and organic insecticides.
• Swede Midge: Prevent with row covers and organic insecticides.
Diseases:
• Downy Mildew: Caused by poor air circulation and wet leaves. Use drip irrigation, keep foliage dry, and apply organic fungicides.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for Broccoli
• Cultural Controls: Remove plants promptly after harvest to eliminate insect habitats.
• Clean Transplants: Use only disease-free seedlings.
• Crop Rotation: Rotate cole crops every 3 years to prevent pest buildup.
• Row Covers: Use Agribon AG15 covers before insects arrive.
Why Grow Broccoli?
• Kitchen Versatility: Use broccoli fresh, roasted, steamed, or in soups.
• Multiple Harvests: Continuous side shoots after harvesting the central head.
• Cold-Hardy: Perfect for spring and fall planting.
• Diverse Varieties: Wide selection from Calabrese to Romanesco.
Seed planning and related growing guides
Broccoli belongs to the brassica family pillar. Time transplanting or direct sowing so head development occurs in suitable cool conditions, and rotate away from the entire brassica family where practical.
- How to grow brassicas from seed
- When to start seeds indoors
- Succession planting from seed
- Broccoli companion plants
- Seed Learning Center
Browse broccoli seeds and confirm maturity, head type, heat tolerance, and side-shoot traits.