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

02 Jan 17, Tania hodges (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Why does our plants only produce really small main heads of broccoli, the plants appear to be really healthy.
03 Jan 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
It may be a small headed variety. Many of the large headed varieties are only available from commercial seed growers Contact Egmont Seeds (NZ) they have larger headed varieties.
03 Dec 17, carol (New Zealand - temperate climate)
growing broccoli do you cut any outer leaves?pls
20 Apr 20, Greg Cave (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Is it advisable to fold leaves over the broccoli head as you do with cauliflower? The heads are still quite small but parts seem to be yellowing.
21 Apr 20, (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Putting the leaves over the broccoli head won't achieve anything. It is natural with caulies. If the heads are not growing and turning yellow and you have small plants then I would say you didn't fertilise them enough. The heads should fully develop in about 7-10 days.
17 Aug 20, ashley shepherd (New Zealand - temperate climate)
my seedlings keep getting ruined, they start to grow then fall over/out with no roots left. I dug around and looks like grass grubs in my beds how do I rid my garden bed of these?
19 Aug 20, Anonymous (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Ring an agricultural supply company and ask to talk to an agronomists. Would probably be some grub or worm in the soil. I have never had the problem in 40 years.
20 Feb 21, Jay (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Perhaps they are still too small - transplant shock ? try letting them grow larger maybe and soak the furrow first not the plant after till established.
Showing 11 - 18 of 18 comments

I've planted some broccoli from seedling 2 months ago. The stems were growing strong and healthy but there is no broccoli even they reach 1 meter high. What did I do wrong?

- Helen

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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. GardenGrow 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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