I have been growing head broccoli for the past five years in my home garden. It’s taken me that long to be confident writing this blog post. While broccoli is not difficult to grow, it is important to pick the right variety for your location and the type you like to eat. For the first three years, I grew the wrong variety and was disappointed each year. Finally, I found a variety that grows well in my area. In addition, it’s a nice full-head variety, which is what I was looking to grow. Now, I am confident to share with you how to successfully grow great broccoli in your home garden.
So, lesson learned, pay attention to the variety you grow. Do some research as to what grows best in your region. Check with your Cooperative Extension for help in selecting the right variety. When selecting a variety, it’s helpful to know that there are 4 basic types of broccolis: head, sprouting, Raab, and Romanesco. My favorite and the type I grow is head broccoli.
Did you know that a broccoli head is simply a bunch of small flower buds? If the buds begin to burst into yellow flowers, then harvest your broccoli right away. The yellow flowers indicate that the broccoli is going to seed.
Now, let’s look at how to grow and care for broccoli.
Grow Broccoli
Timing
Broccoli is a cool-season vegetable. As such, broccoli can be grown in most areas as both a spring and fall crop from March through December. In warmer climates, a winter crop is also possible. Mature heads will be ready 50-85+ days after being transplanted depending upon the variety. Yes, check the growing time before buying. The ideal outdoor temperature for growing broccoli is 70°F.
- Spring Crop – Broccoli can be transplanted outdoors 3-5 weeks before your last spring frost. Therefore, plan to start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last spring frost in your area. Seedlings should be about 4-6 inches tall and have 4-6 true leaves before being transplanted. To minimize transplant shock, try to transplant on a cloudy day. To understand the frost dates for your location, launch this link from the National Gardening Association and enter your zip code.
- Fall Crop – Direct seed into your vegetable garden sometime between July and September depending upon your garden zone. Soil temperatures should be 65-75°F, but broccoli will germinate in temps as low as 50°F. Plan to harvest before the first hard freeze.
- Winter Crop – In milder climates where the temperature rarely goes below 32°F, a winter crop can be planted. Transplant broccoli between September and February.
Light
Broccoli prefers full sun.
Soil
Broccoli needs soil that is well-draining, moist, and fertile. In addition, a pH of 6-7.5 is best (to determine your soil pH, perform a soil test by contacting your local Cooperative Extension. For a better harvest, prepare your soil with the addition of composted organic matter and an all-purpose fertilizer (like Garden Tone). Next, work the organic matter and fertilizer into the top 6 inches of soil.
Spacing
Plant seedlings 18-24 inches apart in rows that are 24-36 inches apart. Always check the directions on the back of the seed package for planting depth and spacing. Because broccoli takes up a lot of space, it’s important to give them the room needed. Cramped broccoli will develop smaller heads.
Caring for Broccoli
Fertilizing
- First, when transplanting seedlings, add 1 cup of diluted liquid starter fertilizer to the hole prior to placing the seedling. I use an organic fish and seaweed emulsion fertilizer (diluted by 50%) with an NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) of 2-3-1.
- Second, three weeks after transplant or when there are multiple sets of true leaves: Side dress with a nitrogen fertilizer such as blood meal (an NPK of 21-0-0). Sprinkle the fertilizer in a 6-inch band and work gently into the soil.
- Third, after harvesting the main head, fertilize again with a nitrogen-based fertilizer. This will encourage side shoots to form.
Watering
Broccoli needs a consistent 1-inch of water per week to develop strong roots and full heads. Sandy soil requires more frequent watering due to the fast-draining nature of this soil type. Without consistent watering, a good-quality head may fail to form.
Mulching
Organic mulches (e. g. straw, dry shredded leaves, wood chips) can be used to ensure that the ground retains moisture and maintains soil temperature. Apply 2-3 inches around the base of the plant.
Row Covers
Protect broccoli with a row cover. Row cover protects the broccoli from the cabbage moth and other pests. This is an effective form of organic control to use. For more information on row covers, check out my post: How to use Floating Row Cover in your Organic Garden.
Companions
Common companion crops include celery, dill, chamomile, sage, peppermint, rosemary, and onions. Avoid planting broccoli with beans, tomatoes, or strawberries.
Crop rotation
Practice crop rotation to reduce disease. Plant in a bed where you have not grown anything in the brassica family including cabbage, kale, cauliflower, or kohlrabi for the past three-four years. For more information on how to develop a crop rotation plan for your home garden, check out my post: Crop Rotation for the home gardener
Seed Saving
Broccoli seeds can be saved for three years when stored in the right conditions.
Problems with Growing Broccoli
Remember, the best prevention from problems is raising healthy plants and keeping them healthy:
- Plant broccoli at the correct time (spring/fall/winter)
- Apply the correct fertilizer.
- Rotate crops each year. Do not plant broccoli in the same bed for 3-4 years or in beds that grew cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, or cauliflower.
- Purchase high-quality seeds and look for disease-resistant varieties.
- Use drip irrigation for watering.
However, even with the best prevention, a few problems can occur:
- Cabbageworm, cabbage maggots, and flea beetles are common pests of broccoli. Control these pests by covering the crop with a light-row cover. In my garden zone 6a, I keep broccoli covered until the heads form.
- Here are three common diseases of broccoli:
- Black Rot – causes yellow triangles on broccoli leaves and on the crown of the broccoli.
- Alternaria – also causes spots on the leaves and the crown of broccoli.
- Clubroot attacks the roots of broccoli leaving them swollen and stunting the growth of broccoli.
To prevent disease, plant disease-resistant varieties and follow good cultural practices (soil, water, sun, mulch). Never put diseased plants into the compost pile. If you suspect that something is wrong with your broccoli and live in the US, check with your Cooperative Extension for help in identifying and determining appropriate controls for pests and disease.
Harvesting and Storing Broccoli
Harvest broccoli approximately 50-85+ days after planting (depending on the variety). Wait for the head to reach the approximate size of the variety planted (refer to the seed package). It’s so exciting when you begin to see a head forming in the center of the leaves. Cut the head taking a short piece of stem. I find a Hori Hori knife to be highly effective at cutting off the broccoli head.
If you see yellow flowers form on the heads of the broccoli, cut the head immediately. The yellow flowers indicate that broccoli is going to seed.
Most varieties will continue to produce ‘side shoots’ after harvesting the main head. These side shoots do not reach the size of the original head but are fun to harvest and eat.
Store broccoli in the refrigerator for one to two weeks after harvest.
Preparing Broccoli
My favorite way to prepare broccoli is to steam it. First, cut the heads into pieces and place them in a steamer basket. Next, steam for 3 minutes if you like the broccoli to be crunchy. If you prefer softer broccoli, steam for a few extra minutes. After 3 minutes of steaming, I stir-fry the broccoli with a bit of olive oil, garlic, and a tablespoon of soy sauce.
Broccoli is fun to grow. I wish you luck in successfully growing broccoli in your garden.
Botanical information
- Family: Brassicaceae
- Genus: Brassica
- Species: Brassica oleracea
Additional Information
- Creating and Maintaining an organic vegetable garden – Part One
- Creating and Maintaining an organic vegetable garden – Part Two
- How to use floating row cover in your organic garden
- Managing garden pests with an integrated approach
- Companion planting for pest management in the vegetable garden
- Getting started with seeds, 4 secrets for successful seed starting
- Five pieces of planning advice for the vegetable gardener
- How to successfully grow great potatoes
Please check your email to confirm subscription.