Growing broccoli should be compulsory in everyone’s garden patch. Not only is it delicious but it is nutritious and easy to grow.
WATCH: Fast Ed visits a broccoli farm and discovers all there is to know about this delicious vegetable
Broccoli, like cauliflower, kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts comes from the cole family which are known for their dark leafy leaves and thick stems. Broccoli is a relatively easy crop to grow that will reward you with delicious crunchy broccoli plants.
Are you ready to get started? Here’s how to grow broccoli.
Growing broccoli
How to care for your broccoli plant
Aspect
To help your broccoli plant grow, place it in a sunny position. In spring you can grow them in partial shade to prevent them from going to seed.
Climate
When it comes to growing broccoli in Australia there’s no real right or wrong location. Traditionally cooler climates from Melbourne and below were favourable but these days it can be grown anywhere year-round.
Soil
Well-drained soil.
Water
Keep broccoli plants hydrated by watering them at the base a couple of times a week.
Fertiliser
Apply a liquid fertiliser fortnightly over the growing season, especially as you see heads start to develop.
Maintenance
Once your broccoli is established remember to keep watering it from the roots, leaving the water to sit on the leaves and head may cause it to rot.
Pests
Caterpillars, worms and other pests love the leaves on broccoli plants. Spray the plant with a natural bug spray.
How to grow broccoli from seedlings
So how does broccoli grow? The most fool-proof method to growing broccoli is to grow them from seedlings. You can grow them from seeds but this will require time, patience and germination.
To grow from seeds it is easiest to sow the seeds 1cm deep into the ground around 30cm apart. It’s a good idea to plant your broccoli seeds progressively so that you have a never-ending supply.
Broccoli can also be grown in pots, as broccoli shrubs can grow to be quite a large plant one or two seedlings in a 50cm pot with well-drained soil.
Broccoli varieties
There are two main types of broccoli:
- Sprouting broccoli – produces lots of side shoots.
- Heading broccoli – produces one large head.
Broccoli plant care and troubleshooting
Soil issues
Broccoli is prone to a soil issue called clubroot which causes the plant to wilt on warm days. To avoid this from happening plant broccoli in different garden beds each year.
Broccoli flowers
If left too long or not given enough water broccoli will start to flower, yes you can eat the flowers but they’ll taste bitter and don’t have much nutritional value.
Why are my broccoli leaves turning yellow?
If you notice that the bottom leaves are turning yellow this is a sign that your plant isn’t getting enough nitrogen. Don’t stress, simply give your plant a dose of nitrogen fertiliser like Blood and Bone.
Can you eat broccoli leaves?
Yes you can! Simply cut off the dark green leaves and lightly saute them. You can also bake them into crunchy chips. Try this grilled broccoli, rocket, mozzarella and basil salad.
Companion plants for broccoli
The best companion plants for broccoli are beans, marigolds, strawberries and coriander.
What is the best time to grow broccoli?
Broccoli can be grown in different regions of Australia at different times of the year, depending on the climate and local growing conditions. However, in general, the best time to grow broccoli in Australia is during the cooler months of the year when temperatures range between 10-23°C.
For most regions of Australia, this means planting broccoli seeds in late summer (February-March) or early autumn (April-May) for harvesting in late autumn (May-June) or winter (June-August). In some cooler regions, such as Tasmania, broccoli can also be grown in spring (September-November).
How long does broccoli take to grow?
Your broccoli will be ready to harvest in between 50-80 days depending on the variety. It is important to harvest broccoli early in the morning before it heats up. Use a sharp knife or secateurs to cut off the head of the plant taking around 10cm of the stem. It is important that you slice the stalk on an angle to prevent water pooling and rotting.
Most plants will have sub-shoots that will also produce broccoli in a couple of weeks time so be patient and keep watering.
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