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

07 Mar 10, richa (Australia - temperate climate)
I tried growing broccoli and cauli.Last season they grow well but no vegetable came out.what did i do wrong?i used cow manure and blood and bone.Please also tell me name of the chemical free pesticide for vegetable and herb .
04 Mar 10, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Snails and white cabbage butterfly (green) caterpillars will skeletonise plants almost overnight. Caterpillars have just eaten all my baby kale when they were "unsupervised" for a couple of days..
17 Feb 10, Jacqueline (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I planted broccolini's last week and they seemed to be doing really well until this morning. I was greeted with just stems this morning, everything has been eaten off all of them but the stems! Help! Can the plants be salvaged and what could be the culprit?
10 Dec 09, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have grown brocolli successfully this year for the first time and we have had many meals with them, but now they are flowering and I don't know whether to pull them out or leave them to go to seed. Will they self seed and come up again next year?
16 Nov 09, Jan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have four baby broccoli plants but the leaves have been eaten away by a caterpillar (I think), Does this mean I won't get any heads?
06 Nov 09, Bruce (Australia - temperate climate)
i have grown a variety of broccli "geen dragon" all plants had lovely heads but were very small (30 to 40 mm diameter)while waiting for the heads to get bigger they just went spindely & yellow. appreciate any ideas.
25 Oct 09, Bron (Australia - temperate climate)
Keeping the plant after it has bolted (gone to flower, then seed) is a great way to keep growing the vege without having to buy more seed :D Just wait till the seed pods dry. I grew my first lot last season (can't believe I took so long to start!) and how much sweeter is homegrown than even organic bought!
12 Oct 09, Jenny (Australia - temperate climate)
I have left 1 broccoli plant which the yellow flowers are out. Is it possible to get seeds for re planting next year?
07 Oct 09, Megan (Australia - temperate climate)
I am growing broccoli for the first time and have planted seedlings in soil which is about 60% soil, 40% compost. The plants are growing well, although the leaves have begun to turn a rather bright blue. Does anyone know what causes this or if I have a problem?
20 Sep 09, Sumudi (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi, I growing Broccoli for the first time. Out of 10 well grown plants, I had only one plant forming a flowhead. I am wondering why the others didn't form flowheads. Also does the plants produce seeds that can be used next year?
Showing 231 - 240 of 316 comments

My broccoli plants have finished producing main flower heads some side shoots are still growing though. Once they finish producing flower buds do you pull out the plant or cut or trim it so it will regrow next winter. I have heard both broccoli and cauliflowers are biennial if so what should I do for my cauliflowers also. Any help would be greatly appreciated

- Anthony Ryan

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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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