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

28 Sep 14, anni (Australia - temperate climate)
Planted broccolini seedlings 6 weeks ago. There now have yellow flowers, so has the lot gone to seed before even producing any crop?
29 Sep 14, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
It sounds like it. Did they get a bit dry or hot at any time? that would push them into flowering.
08 Sep 14, (Australia - arid climate)
The thing to do to stop it going to seed is to get and eat it fast or freeze it.
07 Sep 14, (Australia - temperate climate)
HELP - can someone please tell me why my broccoli and broccolinni are going straight to seed and if there is anything I can do to stop it - thanx in advance - temperate zone
12 Sep 14, Lesley (Australia - temperate climate)
I had the same problem with the winter broccoli this year and I was giving it to the chooks - only to discover when I read on the seed packet that with this type of broccoli you eat the head complete with flowers, and the stem. Sorry I can't remember which broccoli it was
06 Nov 14, Angie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
it will go to seed if it isn't getting enough water, food, and if it is to hot.. i grew 6 good size healthy plants in garden boxes in the middle of winter and they finished a week ago i got a huge crop of broccoli of them through out the prio months..in autumn im growing broccolini again i like to change every year..
06 Sep 14, Mel handebo (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Have been trying to grow broccoli in barossa valley I planted in March of this year and went straight to seed. It got watered every night and fertilised every second day. I don't know what I'm doing wrong help?
02 Nov 14, eliot (Australia - temperate climate)
planted too early, too much fertilizer. also, the Barossa is a temperate climate not subtropical, you want to treat your plant for the climate its in
20 Aug 14, Craig smith (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Have brocolli 7weeks huge leaves look heathy no heads yet.
21 Jul 14, Steve (Australia - arid climate)
Possibly boccolini or sprouting broccoli, I've got some that I planted at the end of April and only just look like there going to head
Showing 141 - 150 of 313 comments

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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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