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15 Feb 18 Mike L (Australia - arid climate)

I am going to try planting broccoli in late Feb, its extremely hot here at the moment 42C. I just want to start early and plant every two weeks or so , semi commercial. Once spring comes, the diamond back moth comes out of the drying crops and is almost impossible to control. Any comments? any pointers?

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19 Feb 18 Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

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.

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16 Feb 18 Mike (Australia - tropical climate)

The guide here is just that a guide but it says plant seeds April and transplant May to Jul. You can try seeds undercover to start with and plant out when it cools off a bit. Good luck.

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16 Feb 18 Darren (Australia - arid climate)

Hi Mike, I live on the edge of arid and temperate, and was thinking about planting broccoli in late Feb as well. I would suggest sowing the seeds under cover if possible, and planting the seedlings out in early March. Even then, depending on your circumstances, you still might need to put shadecloth over them. Can't help with the moth, other than spraying with eco oil if you see any caterpillars in the winter months.

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