Video Overview
Why Grow Broccoli?
Broccoli is a nutritious and versatile vegetable that thrives in cooler weather. Fresh-picked broccoli from your garden is full of flavor and nutrients, making it a favorite among gardeners and cooks alike.
Preparing Your Soil
Broccoli prefers well-drained, fertile soil that is high in organic matter. Avoid overfeeding with nitrogen to prevent hollow stem disorder. Use compost and organic vegetable fertilizer to ensure a bountiful crop.
When to Plant Broccoli
- Fall Planting: Direct sow seeds in mid-summer for a fall harvest.
- Spring Planting: Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost and transplant seedlings to the garden.
For more tips on starting seeds, check out our Seedling Care Video.
Planting Broccoli
Follow these steps to plant your broccoli:
- Plant seeds 3 inches apart, then thin seedlings to 12-20 inches apart once they develop their first true leaves.
- Transplant broccoli seedlings when they are 4-6 weeks old with 4-5 true leaves.
- Wide spacing encourages large heads, while closer spacing results in smaller heads.
Watering and Mulching
Consistent watering is essential for healthy broccoli growth. Use a drip irrigation system for even moisture and mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Mulching also protects the shallow root system of broccoli plants.
Pest and Disease Management
Broccoli faces several common challenges, including:
- Aphids: Blast them off with water, use adhesive traps, or release ladybugs for natural control.
- Club Root: Rotate crops every four years and use oyster shell lime to raise soil pH to 7.2 to combat this disease.
- Caterpillars: Protect plants with insect barriers like Agribon Row Cover or use parasitic wasps and organic caterpillar killers like Bacillus Thuringiensis.
Harvesting Your Broccoli
Broccoli is ready to harvest when the head is 3-8 inches across, and the buds are dark green and plump. Cut the stem 6 inches below the head with a sharp knife. After harvesting, leave the plant in the ground to encourage side shoots for additional small harvests. The leaves are also edible and can be cooked like kale.
Grow some broccoli and enjoy its fresh, delicious taste. Grow Organic for Life!
