Broccoli

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Botanical name: Brassica oleracea

Plant type: Vegetable

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Sun exposure: Full Sun

Soil type: Sandy

Soil pH: Slightly Acidic to Neutral

Broccoli is a cool-season crop that, like spinach, can be grown in the spring or fall. In fact, you may be able to get a continual harvest throughout both seasons if you time planting correctly. A member of the cabbage family, broccoli is rich in vitamins.

Planting

• Broccoli is hardy; it can germinate at temps as low as 40ºF.
• Broccoli requires full sun and moist, fertile soil that's slightly acidic.
• If you live in a warm climate, a fall planting is best, as broccoli thrives in cool weather. Plant seeds in mid- to late-summer in most places.
• For spring plantings, direct sow outdoors (or transplant seedlings) 2 to 3 weeks before last spring frost date.
• For fall plantings, direct sow seeds outdoors 85 to 100 days before your average first fall frost.
• If you transplant, assume 10 less days for growth or the "days to maturity" on the seed packet.
• Work in 2 to 4 inches of rich compost or a thin layer of manure before planting.
• Space plants 12 to 24 inches apart, depending on the side heads you want to harvest.
• Plant seeds 1 inch deep, 3 inches apart. You will need to thin seedlings.

Care

• Fertilize three weeks after transplanting.
• Provide consistent soil moisture with regular watering, especially in drought conditions. Some varieties of broccoli are heat tolerant, but all need moisture.
• Do not get developing heads wet when watering.
• Roots are very shallow, do not cultivate. Suffocate weeds with mulch.
• Mulch will also help to keep soil temperatures down.

Pests

• Flea Beetles
• Clubroot
• Hollow Stem
• Leaf Tipburn

Harvest/Storage

• Cut heads from the plant, taking desired amount of stem. Taking at least 6 inches of stem is recommended.
• Broccoli heads will flower if left on the plant too long. Harvest while buds are just starting to swell before head begins to loosen from plant.
• Late harvesting may also cause a woody or nutty flavor in the stem.
• For best taste, harvest in the morning before the soil heats up.
• Cut the stalk of the main head at a slant, about 5 to 8 inches below the head.
• Most varieties have side-shoots that will continue to develop after the main head is harvested. You can harvest from one plant for many weeks, in some cases, from spring to fall, if you’re summer isn’t too hot.
• Store broccoli in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you wash before storing, make sure to dry it thoroughly.
• Broccoli can be blanched and frozen for up to one year.

Recommended Varieties

• ‘Green Goliath’ is heat-tolerant and sprouts side shoots that will mature for harvesting.
• ‘Green Duke’ is heat tolerant and an early variety that's especially good for Southern gardeners.
• ‘Calabrese’ is a prolific Italian heirloom that sprouts side shoots that will mature for harvesting. Great for fall planting, too.
• 'Flash' is a fast-growing heat-resistant hybrid with good side-shoot production once the central head is cut. Great for fall planting, too.
• ‘Paragon’ is a popular variety in Canada.

Recipes

• Broccoli Quiche
• Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo
• Firecracker Beef

Wit & Wisdom

One ounce of broccoli has an equal amount of calcium as one ounce of milk.