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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You can grow anything after anything as long as you prepare the soil well for the next crop. People talk about crop rotation, it doesn't have to happen that way, It grew big and leafy because you over fertilised. It probably bolted and flowered because you were growing it into hotter weather. It says here you can plant Sept to Nov. Depending on you temperatures I wouldn't be planting that time of the year unless you have quite cool weather into Xmas. General rule you plant winter harvesting crops late summer early autumn and summer harvesting crops after the cool/cold winter.

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