Growing Broccoli

Brassica sp. : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S                    
      T                
    P P                

(Best months for growing Broccoli in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 45°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 14 - 20 inches apart
  • Harvest in 10-16 weeks. Cut flowerhead off with a knife..
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Dwarf (bush) beans, beets, celery, cucumber, onions, marigold, nasturtium, rhubarb, aromatic herbs (sage, dill, chamomile, oregano)
  • Avoid growing close to: Climbing (pole) beans, tomato, peppers (chilli, capsicum), eggplant (aubergine), strawberry, mustard

Your comments and tips

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25 Mar 11, Kate (Australia - temperate climate)
My broccoli plants are getting consumed by those white moths at the moment. Any ideas on how to stop this attack? I have pets so don't want something that may harm them. Thanks.
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22 Jul 11, John (Australia - tropical climate)
Kate I use Yates vegetable dust to control insects, as well as pyrethrum in my vegetable garden Pyrethrum is also good for control of pests in cycads, roses and other ordimental plants
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23 Apr 11, Michael Ouellette (Australia - temperate climate)
I use a solution of garlic & chilli peppers and spray on the plants. cut 5 cloves up in small pieces add heaps of chillies to a two litre container of water. Let it sit for four or five days. Strain and pour into a spray bottle. Spray all over the plant and roots I sometimes reuse the mix two or three times until the mixture is impotent. I always have at least 2 bottles ready to go. Careful NOT to get any solution on you. It reeks!
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22 Mar 11, tyler pethrick (Australia - temperate climate)
Broccoli is easy to grow and very good to eat
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12 Feb 11, Andre (Australia - temperate climate)
We use Eco neem from OCP for caterpillars
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26 Nov 10, Bernie Lazzaro (Australia - temperate climate)
Have grown broccoli before with great success in the backyard vegie patch,just a bit concerned with my crop at the moment with lots of long healthy leaves but does'nt seem to be any sign of the main flowerhead yet. It's been awhile since I grew the last crop and I can't remember when the flowerhead appeared or will they just grow through the long leaves,there's no sign of seeding yet either?
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02 Jun 10, Leslie J Stout (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have a question:Would anyone know if you can you get sick from eating Broccoli to late when it is about to flower,cheers Les
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07 Jan 11, Lily Flax (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes you can eat the flowers and buds , the Chinese do! Taste lovely in salads and the flowers can be deep fried in batter
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02 Jun 10, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi Les, I haven't heard of anyone getting sick, but the flavour is not so good when broccoli is about to flower. It is very strong and (to me) unpleasant.
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09 May 10, Lucy (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Dogs are great like that. I love my dog but she does get in the way of my gardening. I put a strip of gaffa tape over the top of the jar that I embed in the soil, that way my dog can't stick her snout in. I only fill the jar up half way too. I've always been very anti-poison, but because of Tassie's bumper winter rainfall and summer heat the slugs are terrible this year, so I stuck some bait in a takeaway container with a hole cut out in the side. That way the dog can't get to it and the soil isn't contaminated either. Mind you the slugs still exist, it just slows them down a little...
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