Growing Broccoli

Brassica sp. : Brassicaceae / the mustard or cabbage family

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

(Best months for growing Broccoli in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • 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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03 Jun 20, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
By the info I provided below and your concern about growing broccoli near beans, you can grow near dwarf but not recommended near climbing. By the sounds of it climbing beans need to climb (twine) up a trellis/pole etc. Broad beans do not do this, therefore I would call BB dwarf beans. JMO.
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01 Jun 20, liz (Australia - temperate climate)
If you have a search aquadulce fava bean - you will find info about height etc.
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25 Apr 20, Jos (New Zealand - temperate climate)
What is the name of the broccoli with a tight head please We live just north of Auckland.
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27 Apr 20, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I suggest you look on an internet seed selling site and look through the different varieties. Try Eden seeds or Boondie seeds (in Australia) or look up NZ websites.
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23 Apr 20, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)
Is late April to late to seed broccoli in Adelaide?
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25 Apr 20, Steve (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes it is to late now, plant out seedlings if you can get hold of them.
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24 Apr 20, Anon (Australia - temperate climate)
It takes about 4 weeks to grow a seed to seedling stage to transplant. And it is time consuming - watering 2-3 times a day. Miss a day or so and the seedlings could be dead. Plant seeds now and it takes about 12-16 weeks to grow to pick. You are looking at July Aug for harvest. I live sub tropical and most vegies do not grow much in July Aug. You are temperate so they will grow less probably. SO you plant SEEDLING this time of the year. A general rule sub tropical and probably temperate (no frosts) is for winter veg you plant late summer and for summer veg you plant late winter/very early spring. I will be picking my first broccoli next week.
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15 Sep 19, Kathleen Foxwell (Australia - tropical climate)
I live in Hervey Bay. I have planted Broccoli seeds. They never form a head for me to harvest. They are just leaves. How can I get them to grow the edible broccoli head?
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16 Sep 19, Anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Broccoli is best grow in your/my area, autumn into the winter - plant seedlings or seeds early March to May. DO NOT have super rich soil. SOIL high in N will just produce a lot of leaf. I had this problem last year with cabbage and broccoli coming out of winter into spring. I won't do that again. I have tried seeds the last 2 years. For broccoli I think the best is to just buy seedlings from Bunnings.
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29 Apr 19, Lawrence Umba (Australia - tropical climate)
I am a farmer from Papua New Guinea at an altitude of 1000 m above sea level. I am trying to produce Broccoli in my farm and wonder is it going to be like growing Broccoli at Australia -Tropical, or do I have to do my own trials. Thank you
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Not too much fertiliser Grahame, have just added a bit of potash. still no heads though :(

- Alex

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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