Broccoli is a cool weather, slow maturing crop.
Broccoli are members of the Brassica family and are susceptible to club-root disease. Club root stunts your plants and results in a pathetic crop. Crop rotation and careful soil preparation will help to prevent this developing.
Site and Soil
Requires full sun and moist, rich, alkaline well-drained soils. Mulching to keep plants cool and moist is an advantage.
Sowing Seed
Sow inside 6-8 weeks before the last frost or outside in late spring in a shallow seed drill, space drills 15cm (6in) apart. Harden off indoor seedlings before planting out.
Germination is in 10 days.
Care
Planting out
Transplant seedlings 2-3 weeks before the last frost. Plant seedlings 7.5cm (3in) high at 35-45cm (12-18in) apart, and leave 60cm (2ft) between rows.
Maintenance
Water regularly, mulch against weeds with compost or black polythene.
Plants can be top-heavy and may require staking.
Harvesting
 When the flowers are still tight and blue-green, cut the central shoot.
Leave the side shoots to develop and harvest these as they come ready. Broccoli will crop over a six week period if harvested regularly in this way.
Pinch out the buds to prevent flowering.
Days to Harvest 50-60 days after transplanting into the garden
More Vegetable Gardening
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Broccoli Varieties
- Summer Green Excellent hot weather variety , good for summer picking.
- Shogun Domed heads, quality, hybrid choice for winter. Firm heads hold well.
Read the Packet
Always check the seed packet to confirm sowing time, planting depth and spacing. |
Gardening in Small Spaces
 Broccoli is a slow maturing crop. If you garden in a small space then consider sharing a punnet of plants with a friend, and planting only three to four broccoli plants for cropping over a long period. |
Pests and Diseases
Caterpillars The caterpillars of cabbage butterflies (white butterflies) can cause considerable damage. Row covers to deny the egg-laying parents access, or picking off the caterpillars by hand is recommended. Derris dust is often used but a caution, recent studies indicate possible links to Parkinson's disease.
Slugs Slugs will cause extensive damage, especially to newly transplanted seedlings. Beer traps, picking off at night, grit. Slug bait should be used carefully near any edible crop, and if children have access to the garden.
Cabbage root fly The female fly lays eggs on the ground around the stem of the cabbage. Collars or covering with a horticultural row cloth or fleece with prevent this
Club root Attacks the root system, crippling the plant and resulting in a pathetic crop. Crop rotation, soil preparation, good drainage, and liming the ground to reduce acidity.
Splitting Splitting of spring cabbage is caused by rapid new growth when irrigation or rain follows a period of little moisture. Consistent watering regimes and cultivating near the roots may help. | | |
