How to Grow Broccoli {Start to Finish}
This year we planted 3 varieties of broccoli:
Broccoli is a cool season vegetable and it is super hardy. I like to plant broccoli in both the early spring and again in the fall.
Where to Plant Broccoli: Plant in full sun {though it will germinate in temperatures as low as 40 degrees. It can be planted in raised beds, containers or garden beds.
Planting Seeds: Plant seeds 1/8″ deep. Thin to 1 every 18″ {or one per pot} when seedlings are about 2″ tall.
Growing Tips: Plant in fertile soil and water regularly–avoid getting developing heads wet, though. You can fertilize 3 weeks after transplanting for bigger yields.
How to Harvest: Harvest when main head gets to be about 3″ in diameter, that will encourage side shoots to grow.
Little Known Fact: The average American eats 4 lbs of broccoli per year. No freakin’ way!
Are you ready to start your garden but you’re not sure when you should plant your seeds or set out your transplants? Head on over HERE and you’ll be taken to a handy dandy chart that is broken down into what vegetables should be planted {or transplanted} each month in your area.
Anyone can do this. Dirt + Seeds+ Water = Food!
~Mavis
Here are a few of my Favorite Broccoli recipes
Baked Potato Casserole with Sausage
Broccoli, Bacon, Cheddar Quiche
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The last two years I’ve attempted to plant broccoli they get white little bugs. What are those and how do you get rid of them? Same happens with cauliflower
Hi Kate!
This link should help. http://www.no-dig-vegetablegarden.com/broccoli-pests-and-diseases.html
It does! Garlic Fire Spray. Going to whip up a batch of that for sure. Thanks!
I eat broccoli at least 3 times a week and since we started just eating meat and veg I can pretty much eat a whole head of broccoli myself! That’s probably about 150 pounds a year for just me and the HH eats about as much, too!
I’d love to be able to grow it myself, but I have HUGE problems with those nasty green worms. I already saw one of those white moths flying over my broccoli in the garden the other day.
Hi Mavis,
I am wondering how you know if you need to cover up your plants at night because of low temp/frost. I too live in the PNW, and our night time temps will be going down to 30/31 and I am wondering if my plants will have frost damage. I currently have broccoli starts, lettuce starts, parsley & chive that returned from last year, and various seeds directly sown. I usually buy all of my plants as starts at the feed store and plant them in mid May, but this year I wanted to go the seed route and have a spring garden. I’m just not sure of all the ins and outs of a spring garden–help!
Hi Liz, you may want to cover them the next 2 nights with a fabric row cover. You can find this at Home Depot. I left mine out last night uncovered and they survived. But I would suggest covering yours if the temps are going to get that low.
The white moths are cabbage moths and love anything in the cabbage family! They have green caterpillar babies that COVERED my brussels sprouts and kale (no other cabbage family crops to attack in my garden last year). Stop them by putting a row cover over your plants as soon as you direct sow or transplant. leave it in place all season! Row covers are just light fabric that lets light and water through (though i’m skeptical about how much water they let in). Secure the sides and the end when you’re not working the bed and the moths won’t be able to get in and lay eggs PLUS it blocks out flea beetles… i haven’t experienced them yet but I’m covering all my cabbage family this year so I won’t find out!
I only grew broccoli once, a couple years ago, and it got black aphids so bad that it was inedible. I could. not. get all those damn bugs off. Bleck. I’m gonna check out the link you posted in the comments above to see if it suggests any solutions….
I planted overwintering broccoli last fall for the first time and I don’t have any signs of broccoli yet. Plants are big and healthy but nothing. Did Ido something wrong or is April the magic month?
I started broccoli and cauliflower inside my house, under the grow lights. I am not having much success with it though. The stems are very skinny and the leaves are small. I used the Miracle Grow potting soil. Do you have any suggestions to make it heartier?
I am having this same problem. I’m on my third set. I’ve got them under lights in a self-watering mat and a fan on low – I’m doing every possible thing I’ve read to do and they just flop over and wilt when they get tall enough. They barely grow their true leaves before they die. I just moved my current set out to a green house instead to see if they do better outside…
The aphids got my broccoli this year too…..but not before I ate my 4 lbs.I will keep them covered throughout the whole season and I think it will help. Not to mention keeping the ants away as best as I can. They’re pals. Yuk.
Ants do NOT like to walk through wood ash or coffee grounds. Spread some wood ash (or coffee grounds) around the perimeter of your garden area to keep the ants at bay. I have grown broccoli successfully here in Central Texas … once the weather gets a little warmer I will serve broccoli flowers … tastes just the same.
Thanks Charlene.