How To Grow Broccoli / RHS Gardening

It’s best to cover broccoli with fine-mesh netting at all times, to protect the crop from pigeons and various insects. Weed between young plants regularly, water during dry spells and support taller plants with sturdy canes.

Watering

Water broccoli seedlings A seedling is a young plant grown from seed. and young plants during dry spells to ensure they establish well. After that, you should only need to water during prolonged dry weather. See our water-saving tips below.

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Mulching

Mulch Mulch is a layer of material, at least 5cm (2in) thick, applied to the soil surface in late autumn to late winter (Nov-Feb). It is used to provide frost protection, improve plant growth by adding nutrients or increasing organic matter content, reducing water loss from the soil, for decorative purposes and suppressing weeds. Examples include well-rotted garden compost and manure, chipped bark, gravel, grit and slate chippings. with a thick layer of organic matter, such as garden compost, to help retain moisture and deter weed germination Germination is the process by which a seed develops into a new plant. It starts with the seed coat absorbing water, expanding and splitting, which allows oxygen and water into the seed so its food reserves can be broken down and used by the embryo for growth. The first root (called the radicle) pushes into the soil to anchor the new plant in place and start absorbing water and nutrients. The first shoot (called the plumule) then grows upwards, out of the soil, towards the light. .

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Feeding

If your soil is poor, you can apply an organic high-nitrogen fertiliser when broccoli plants are about 20cm (8in) tall.

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Weeding

Keep the soil free of weeds, so young broccoli plants don’t get overwhelmed by vigorous weeds or outcompeted for water or sunlight.

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Supporting plants

Broccoli plants generally grow to 60–90cm (2–3ft) tall and usually need support, especially in exposed locations. If these top-heavy plants are buffeted around by the wind, this can loosen the roots and hinder growth. So, before any autumn gales arrive, pile soil up around the base of the stem to increase stability and/or insert a sturdy cane A cane is a slender, straight, length of woody plant material, usually bamboo. Canes are primarily used as plant supports. The fruiting stems of blackberries, raspberries and hybrid berries (such as loganberries and tayberries) are also known as canes, so these crops are often referred to as cane fruit. and tie in the main stem, to keep it upright.

Protecting the crop

Broccoli is susceptible to the typical brassica problems, including pigeons and various insects, so keep plants protected at all times. The simplest option is to cover the crop with insect-proof mesh or biodegradable fleece, supported on canes and pinned to the ground. See Problems, below, for more tips.