Growing Broccoli

Planting, Growing, and Harvesting Broccoli

By Catherine Boeckmann
Broccoli Florets

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Broccoli is a sun-loving, cool-season crop that is best grown in the chillier weather of spring or fall. It’s also incredibly good for you and has been dubbed the “crown jewel of nutrition.” Here’s how to plant, grow, and harvest broccoli in your garden!

Broccoli is worth growing for its nutritional content alone. This cole crop is rich in vitamins and minerals, and is a good source of Vitamin A, potassium, folic acid, iron, and fiber. 

Broccoli takes a long time to mature, so be patient! Once you harvest the main head of a broccoli plant, it will often keep producing smaller side shoots that can be enjoyed for months to come.

Planting Dates for BROCCOLI

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Planting Calendar for all Plants

Planting

When to Plant Broccoli

  • Broccoli is cool-season crop, so it should be started in late winter or early spring (depending on your climate) for an early summer crop, or in mid- to late summer for a fall crop. High temperatures will affect development of the broccoli head (the harvestable part), so the goal is to get broccoli to mature before or after high temperatures are expected.
  • Broccoli seeds are capable of germinating in soil temperatures as low as 40°F (4°C), but warmer soil is preferred and will greatly speed up development.
  • For spring plantings, broccoli may be started indoors or outdoors a few weeks ahead of your last spring frost date. Consult our Planting Calendar to see recommended dates for your area. Generally speaking:
    • Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date.
    • Sow seeds outdoors 2 to 3 weeks before your last frost date, or as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring.
  • For fall plantings (best in warm climates), sow seeds outdoors 85 to 100 days before the first fall frost, when soil and ambient temperatures are high.

Spacing for Broccoli

Preparing the Planting Site

  • Broccoli requires a site with exposure to full sun (6 to 8 hours per day). Lack of sunlight may produce thin, leggy plants and subpar heads.
  • Plant in a bed of moist, fertile soil that drains well.
  • Soil pH should be slightly acidic, between 6.0 and 7.0.
  • To increase fertility before you plant, in early spring, work in 2 to 4 inches of rich compost or a thin layer of manure. (Learn more about soil amendments and preparing soil for planting.)

How to Plant Broccoli

  • If starting seeds outdoors, sow seeds ½-inch deep and 3 inches apart.
  • Once seedlings reach a height of 2 to 3 inches, thin them so that plants are 12 to 20 inches apart.
  • If you started seeds indoors, plant transplants that are 4 to 6 weeks old (and have 4 or 5 leaves) outdoors, 12 to 20 inches apart, in holes slightly deeper than their container depth. 
  • Space rows of broccoli 3 feet apart. (Closer spacing yields smaller main heads, but more secondary heads.)
  • Water well at the time of planting.

Care

Broccoli Plant Care

  • Plants thrive outdoors in 65°F to 70°F (18° to 21°C) conditions.
  • Fertilize broccoli three weeks after transplanting seedlings into the garden. Use a low-nitrogen fertilizer.
  • Thin when young plants reach 2 to 3 inches tall. Plants should be between 12 and 20 inches apart.
  • Provide consistent soil moisture with regular watering, especially in drought conditions. Water at least 1 to 1 ½ inches per week.
  • Do not get developing broccoli heads wet when watering, as it can encourage rot.
  • Roots are very shallow, so try not to disturb the plants. Suffocate weeds with mulch.
  • Mulching around plants will also help to keep soil temperatures down.
  • Use row covers to minimize pests.
  • To promote the growth of a second head after the first has been harvested, maintain an active feeding and watering schedule.
  • Learn more about taking care of your broccoli plant.

Growing Broccoli Video

We’ll show you how to grow broccoli in the garden!

Pests/Diseases

  • Aphids: Curling leaves may mean that the plant’s sap is being sucked by insects. Apply soapy water to all sides of leaves whenever you see aphids.
  • Cabbage loopers: Small holes on the leaves between the veins mean small green caterpillars are present. Look at the undersides of the leaves. Hand pick if the problem is small or control with Bacillus thuringiensis, a natural, bacterial pesticide. Use a floating row cover just after planting through harvest to prevent caterpillars.
  • Cabbage root maggots
  • Cabbageworms and other worm pests: Treat same as loopers.
  • Clubroot: Quickly wilting plants may be due to this fungus in the soil. The entire plant, including all roots and root tendrils, must be gently dug up and removed. If the roots are gnarled and misshapen, then clubroot is the problem. Act quickly to remove the plants so that the fungus doesn’t continue to live in the soil. Do not compost the plants. Raise the pH of your soil to above 7.2. You may need to sterilize your soil, too.
  • Downy Mildew: Yellow patches on leaves are usually caused by moist weather. Keep leaves as dry as possible with good air circulation. Buy resistant varieties.
  • White rust
  • Whiteflies
  • Nitrogen deficiency: If the bottom leaves turn yellow and the problem continues toward the top of the plant, the plants need a high nitrogen (but low phosphorus) fertilizer or blood meal. Blood meal is a quick nitrogen fix for yellowing leaves.

Broccoli close-up

Harvest/Storage

How to Harvest Broccoli

  • Harvest broccoli in the morning, when the buds of the head are firm and tight, just before the heads flower.
  • If you do see yellow petals, harvest immediately, as the quality will decrease rapidly.
  • Cut heads from the plant, taking at least 6 inches of stem. Make a slanted cut on the stalk to allow water to slide away. (Water can pool and rot the center of a flat-cut stalk, runing the secondary heads.)
  • 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 your summer isn’t too hot.
  • Learn more tips on harvesting broccoli.

How to Store Broccoli

  • 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.

 

Growing Broccoli

Recommended Varieties

  • ‘Calabrese’ is an Italian heirloom with large heads and prolific 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.
  • ‘Green Goliath’ is heat-tolerant with giant heads and prolific side shoots.
  • ‘Green Duke’ is heat tolerant and an early variety that’s especially good for Southern gardeners.
  • ‘Green Magic’ is heat tolerant; freezes well.
  • ‘Paragon’ has extra-long spears; excellent for freezing.

Wit & Wisdom

  • Originally, broccoli was eaten for its stems.
  • Early Roman farmers referred to broccoli as “the five green fingers of Jupiter.”
  • Once you’ve gotten broccoli down pat, why not try growing one of its relatives? See our Growing Guides for cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, rutabaga, kale, and turnips!

Recipes

Cooking Notes

One ounce of broccoli has an equal amount of calcium as one ounce of milk. Learn more about the amazing health benefits of broccoli. 

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Reader Comments

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can i grow broccoli in north

Submitted by anupam on November 20, 2013 - 8:33pm

can i grow broccoli in north indian cimate

My first try at broccoli I

Submitted by Dave Verplank on November 19, 2013 - 11:23pm

My first try at broccoli I thought was very good. My wife says it isn't any good. She sees a purplish color on the broccoli head and says it is bad. I cut the stems and have eaten the broccoli and it is excellent. What is the purplish tinge on the broccoli heads ? I keep seeing info on yellowish flowers, but I did not see anything like this. Did I harvest too soon?

This is very normal--and a

The Editors's picture

Submitted by The Editors on November 21, 2013 - 9:27am

This is very normal--and a good sign. Fresh-looking broccoli heads should be compact and dark green with some purple tinge. Obviously, it depends on the variety, but there is nothing wrong with this.

hello I bought the hybride

Submitted by mohammad on November 6, 2013 - 1:00pm

hello
I bought the hybride broccoli seeds.what is the differ between this type and other species?
another question,the seeds should be planted in outdoor or indoor conditions?what is the optimum temperature for germinate? thanks.

Could you please explain what

Submitted by Pamela Monreal on October 25, 2013 - 11:56pm

Could you please explain what a floating row is?

Floating rows are simply

The Editors's picture

Submitted by The Editors on October 28, 2013 - 11:40am

Floating rows are simply lightweight fabric covers that you drape over your plants. Here is a good article with pictures on the Burpee seed site: http://www.burpee.com/gardenin...

I used broccoli seed - it

Submitted by Heidi Gahler on September 20, 2013 - 10:52pm

I used broccoli seed - it grew nicely, i harvested one small head with yellow flowers in it. , all others bloomed, now I have a lot of seed on them. Is it worth to dry and collect the seed and sow next year. Thank you.

Broccoli isn't the best

The Editors's picture

Submitted by The Editors on September 23, 2013 - 4:44pm

Broccoli isn't the best veggie for seed-saving but you can do it. First, note that you can't have any other crops from the Brassica oleracea family within a mile or they'll cross-pollinate and it won't be pure broccoli. Also, you want to seed save from heirloom veggies versus hybrids. Do not harvest heads on broccoli plants that you wish to save for seed. Carefully dig the plants and pot them in sand. Store plants between 32-40° F. Plant back out in early spring and allow to bolt. Harvest seed pods when dry and clean by hand. See more on Seed Saving: http://www.almanac.com/content...

What about broccoli and

Submitted by Ryan Wissler on May 18, 2014 - 12:12am

What about broccoli and cauliflower in the same garden. Will they cross pollinate and leave me with no pure broccoli or cauliflower?

Broccoli and Cauliflower do

The Editors's picture

Submitted by The Editors on May 19, 2014 - 8:43am

Broccoli and Cauliflower do cross-pollinate but this won't happen in your first year. It only happens if you save the seeds for a second season (and if these seeds are not hybrid).

I planted broccoli this

Submitted by Mike A. on August 15, 2013 - 8:59pm

I planted broccoli this spring and plants look great, 3' tall, huge leaves, but no broccoli. Will I get heads in the fall when it gets cooler or should I just pull them out and try for a fall crop with new seeds?

Broccoli prefers cool

The Editors's picture

Submitted by The Editors on August 16, 2013 - 2:44pm

Broccoli prefers cool temperatures and an even supply of water to produce heads.Hot temperatures and/or drought can cause broccoli to stop producing heads. Overcrowding and poor soil can also cause problems. Leave the plants in the soil and see if the cooler weather will help the broccoli to set heads.

I pick the center large head,

Submitted by Diane A H on August 5, 2013 - 4:55pm

I pick the center large head, then let the plant continue to make smaller heads-pick them and dehydrate them for
soups in the winter.

I planted broccoli and

Submitted by loretta magrino on August 5, 2013 - 9:59am

I planted broccoli and something is eating all the leaves, right to the stem. I bought slug medicine and now it seems that the plant is beginning to grow again, what can I do, besides putting medicine down to let these, I think it's slugs, keep away?
Thank you. LorettA

If you have slugs you can try

The Editors's picture

Submitted by The Editors on August 7, 2013 - 3:42pm

If you have slugs you can try spreading crushed egg shells around your plants. Go to almanac.com/content/slugs to see more tips about getting rid of slugs.
 

Slug them back with beer!! If

Submitted by Rebecca Dickson on March 31, 2014 - 12:20pm

Slug them back with beer!!

If you put beer in a shallow dish or lid and place it around your garden the slugs will go for it rather than your plants..I used this trick to keep them off my Tomatoes that I grew on my deck in straw bales!

I live in kolkata

Submitted by Dr s pattnaik on August 3, 2013 - 1:44pm

I live in kolkata India.recently i got some seeds from US.can u give me some tips as to how and when i can grow in a temperate climate like India.
dr s pattnaik

Start the seedlings indoors

Submitted by FDS on March 14, 2014 - 3:22pm

Start the seedlings indoors in October and plant outside in November. Broccoli likes cool weather. You'll be able to harvest until it gets hot and the broccoli goes to seed.

Planted last spring (really

Submitted by Jim Lyons on August 1, 2013 - 5:37pm

Planted last spring (really bad season last year)and broccoli grew 3' tall with pencil thin stalks that fell over with the weight of the leaves (no head formed). I just walked away and said "so much for broccoli here". This year at the end of the long stems huge broccoli plants formed with wonderful broccoli. If it wasn't fenced around they would have fallen over. Can I cut the stems all the way back to the root this winter? will they come back? Thanks

Broccoli is usually grown as

The Editors's picture

Submitted by The Editors on August 7, 2013 - 3:52pm

Broccoli is usually grown as an annual and started new each spring. You can leave your plants in the ground after you pick the main crown and harvest small shoots that grow from the sides of the stems. In late fall remove the plants.
 

My broccoli didn't do we'll

Submitted by Rick Young on July 21, 2013 - 11:19pm

My broccoli didn't do we'll this year, they bolted and I hadn't researched well enough. Now that it is hot 100 degree weather, do I pull the plants or leave them in the ground?

Yes, you need to pull the

The Editors's picture

Submitted by The Editors on July 22, 2013 - 11:31am

Yes, you need to pull the plants. Brocolli, a cool-weather plant, is a popular fall crop in most regions if you wish to try again!

When buying Broccoli at a

Submitted by Richard Ryder on July 20, 2013 - 12:34pm

When buying Broccoli at a Grocery store, or farmers market, or a stand alone farm highway
stand, how can I tell if the Broccoli is safe and good to buy and eat?

I love gardening nd this is

Submitted by Pam Ely Hoyt on July 12, 2013 - 11:10am

I love gardening nd this is the first year i actually got some broccoli to grow. I have a small head on one of the six plants but i never know when to cut it. Its prolly the size of the palm of my hand nd i have a small hand.lol maybe little smaller. I don't want to lose it

Hi, Pam, Here are tips on how

The Editors's picture

Submitted by The Editors on July 16, 2013 - 3:34pm

Hi, Pam, Here are tips on how to cut broccoli from our organic gardening blogger, Celeste: http://www.almanac.com/blog/ce...

What is the safest

Submitted by Mary Tipton on December 5, 2013 - 7:15pm

What is the safest temperature that a broccoli head can stand. I want to be sure and cut mine before it freezes.
Thank you,
Mary Tipton

Broccoli can tolerate frost

The Editors's picture

Submitted by The Editors on December 6, 2013 - 8:11am

Broccoli can tolerate frost or even a light freeze. It really can't tolerate lower than 20 degrees F.

growing broccoli for the

Submitted by vickie lane on July 9, 2013 - 3:58pm

growing broccoli for the first time this year,it is doing great.I would like to know if broccoli produces more,when first head is harvested. does anyone know?

I got three heads off of two

Submitted by LisaCvC on August 20, 2013 - 7:14pm

I got three heads off of two plants this year and two heads off of the other three. Was a great year here in Washington State for Broccoli.

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Growing Broccoli

Botanical Name Brassica oleracea (Italica group)
Plant Type Vegetable
Sun Exposure Full Sun
Soil Type Sandy
Soil pH Slightly Acidic to Neutral
Bloom Time
Flower Color Yellow
Hardiness Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
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