Broccoli Grow Guide

Crop Rotation Group

Brassicas (Cabbage family)

Soil

Rich, deep, firm soil enriched with plenty of well rotted compost.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

Yes.

Feeding

Mulch with composted manure or another high-nitrogen compost before planting.

Spacing

Single Plants: 1' 5" (45cm) each way (minimum) Rows: 1' 5" (45cm) with 1' 5" (45cm) row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Sow indoors in early spring, and set out while the soil is still cool. Sow fall broccoli indoors in summer, and set out when the plants are 3 weeks old. Our Garden Planner can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Broccoli that matures in cool fall weather has an especially tender texture with sweet flavor to match.

Harvesting

Use a sharp knife to harvest the primary head when the beads are plump and well-filled. Many varieties produce numerous smaller side shoots after the primary head is cut.

Troubleshooting

Cabbageworms are small green larvae of the cabbage white butterfly. You can use row covers to keep them from eating plants.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Broccoli

Aphids on a pea plant

Aphids (General)

Cabbage root maggots are about the size of a grain of rice

Cabbage Root Maggot

Green cabbage worms are the larvae of a cabbage white butterfly

Cabbage Worm

Adult diamondback moths do not cause any damage

Diamondback Moth

Harlequin bug

Harlequin Bug

Slug

Slug

Snails leave a trail of slime behind them

Snail

Plant Diseases which Affect Broccoli

Alternaria brassicicola

Brassica Alternaria Leaf Spot

Downy mildew on broccoli leaf

Brassica Downy Mildew

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