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Growing Broccoli

(Brassica sp.)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  S P P         P      

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

S = Plant undercover in seed trays. P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.


  • 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 7°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 35 - 50 cm apart
  • Harvest in 10-16 weeks. Cut flowerhead off with a knife. - Recommended soil pH 6 - 7.
  • Compatible with: Dwarf (bush) beans, beets, celery, cucumber, onions, marigold, nasturtium, rhubarb, aromatic herbs (sage, dill, chamomile, oregano)
  • Avoid growing with: Climbing (pole) beans, tomato, peppers (chilli, capsicum), eggplant (aubergine), strawberry, mustard
  • Early stage
  • Nearly ready for harvest
  • Side shoot regrowth after main head cut

Your comments and tips

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08 May 12, Linda (USA - Zone 7a climate)
Hi I live in new jersey. I cant seem to grow Broccoli. I tried two years and no good. The plants goes to seed every time. Please if you can write me back. I really dont know whats going on. Thank you Linda
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02 May 12, Diane Bailey (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I live near Coffs Harbour on the mid-north coast. I have never been successful in growng broccoli or cauliflower. Can they be grown in polystyrene boxes or planted into the garden. What type of fertilizer etc. should be used? I have no idea as to what I have been doing wrong. Any suggestions would be most welcome.
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02 Apr 12, Claudia (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Can I plant broccoli in the same garden bed I have just removed tomato plants from? I've just added some blood and bone to the soil to freshen it up also.
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09 Feb 12, Lee-Ann Connolly (USA - Zone 8a climate)
Hello When you say PLANT in garden is that the seed to plant in the garden where they going to grow or seedlings ? Many Thanks Lee-Ann
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10 Feb 12, Stephanie (Australia - arid climate)
Thanks I was wondering the same thing. Also if it says plant in garden, but you cant yet because you are waiting for, say, your tomatos to finish, should you plant in seed trays instead?
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11 Feb 12, peter (Australia - temperate climate)
if you look at the planting 'timetable' it indicates sowing seed in Feb and PLANTING out seedlings 4-6 weeks later. So, yes I'd be getting seeds into trays now ready to plant out when your tommys finish =)
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03 Jan 12, Lisa (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I note some plants say don't plant with certain types. does this just mean not in same garden bed? or not at same time? so one after the other? or same time but seperate beds? I have yet to start a vegie garden and am trying to decide what i'd like to plant and when. and broccolli and tomato are plants i'd like to attempt growing. thanks for any tips
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08 Jan 12, kate (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
companioning planting is In the same garden bed Each garden bed should have it's own companion planting for whatever vegetables you are planting at that time. If it statesa vegetable with another one, but you can't plant the other one due to a months difference, it doesnt matter, cause once you put that other plant into companion the other original plant, it still works well, due to the timing of the plants for when they are meant to grow
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23 Oct 11, Zoe (Australia - temperate climate)
What soil type does broccoli grow in best?
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16 Oct 11, leah (Australia - temperate climate)
what would be eating my brocolini??? is growing really well but i don't want to share with the bugs!!! what can i use that is natural to keep bugs off?? or maybe plant next to it as deterent?? any suggestions?
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Post a question, comment or tip about Broccoli

I live in Centurion, not far from Bronkhorstspruit and I use the Summer Rainfall area as my guideline. We did use the subtropical guidelines when we lived near Durban. Broccoli is perhaps the easiest of the Brassicas to grow, but you should start your crop as seedlings in August/ September and transplant each seedling into a 2-3 litre pot of compost in about August. Transplant to your garden - use about a half-square metre per plant, in late September. We still have broccoli heads in late May here now, but we are blessed with warm weather. Frost may strike any day...

- Keith


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