(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.

Keep well-watered as seedlings. If left without water they will bolt to seed and be inedible. The plants should grow to develop plenty of large healthy leaves, then the green flowerheads follow, which are cut for eating. Leave the plant growing after cutting the main flowerhead, and get additional crops from the sideshoots which will develop.

Watch for cabbage white butterflies and remove the eggs and caterpillars as soon as possible.

There are two main types of broccoli. The purple sprouting is hardier. The heading varieties cope well with warmer weather.

Once a plant opens its yellow flowers then it is generally past eating as the flavour gets a bit overpowering and the plant gets very woody. Harvest them sooner rather than later.

'Broccolini' is a variety grown for the edible stalks. Grow fast with plenty of water and food, and pick as soon as possible.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Broccoli

The stem (peeled), leaves, and flowerhead are all edible.

Steam for best flavour. Peel large stalks, slice and steam.
Goes well with blue cheese sauce.

Your comments and tips

21 Aug 12, Deanna (USA - Zone 9b climate)

I have fabulous success with broccoli year after year. I have a couple of tips that help prevent/delay bolting and a question. Tips: Keep broccoli moist. Never let it dry, especially during warmer weather. To retain moisture and drastically reduce weeds, use a heavy mulch. I use hay and I add a layer as soon as the bottom layer starts to break down. One bale of hay will mulch about 100' sq and costs about five bucks. I grow my broccoli with collards, cauliflower, cabbage, carrots and onions during the cooler weather and with whatever survives, pops up or I get around to planting (cause we have 5 growing seasons here). Now the question: Although I can grow broccoli that's so green it's blue, is 4' tall and 6' around and produces side shoots for three months...my husband HATES the variety! I'm aware of the difference in the flavor of this particular variety (Waltham 29). It has an extremely dense taste, similar to asparagus, which I love, but Eddie refuses to eat it so it's pointless to grow it! Any suggestions on a heading variety (heat tolerant) that's more like the market variety? I collect my seed, so I try to find heirlooms, open pollenated.

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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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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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28 Apr 11, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

Amy (zipcode 22025). You sent us a lot of questions but I cannot answer you because you did not include an email address. Please send me your address if you would still like some answers? Liz

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