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 New Zealand - cool/mountain 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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29 Jul 08, Barbara in Lane Cove (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I heard tomato foliage helps deter pests from broccoli. I spread tomato leaves amongst my broccoli plus stalks of rosemary for good measure, plus I had added fresh compost to the soil and mulch heavily with alfalfa. These are the healthiest broccoli I've ever grown and no bugs. Question: are the bugs eating the broccoli, or are the bugs eating something else that's on the broccoli?
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05 Jul 08, ~Mands! :o) (Australia - temperate climate)
I have several re-cropping broccoli - been in the ground for just over a year and still producing (although getting a bit woody!!). I have a black/brown/tan type bug beetle throughout. Zillions. What would it be? How can it be eradicated? Prefer natural solutions - soap? Chilli? What are good companions to deter? I've pulled up any plant inflicted but stupidly composted - hoping chooks will enjoy>> not a regular chook play area. Hoping advice is out there!!
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09 Feb 08, Phoebe (Unknown climate)
Did you know that the leaves are delicious cooked?
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Showing 311 - 313 of 313 comments
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I tried to grow broccoli from seed last year - 1st, late Feb and then from Aug. Both times I ended up with craggy big plants and no head developed. I won't try the spring time planting again. It takes about 4-5 weeks to go from seed to good transplantable seedlings. A lot of time and effort - too much shade you have tall leggy seedlings. A lot of attention to watering and fertilizing also. I use to buy good seedlings from nursery and had good success that way. That is my plan in the future for broccoli and cabbage and even maybe lettuce. A real pain trying to grow these from seeds.

- Mike

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