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The common type of broccoli in grocery stores is “Calabrese broccoli” (named after Calabria in Italy). Planted in mid-spring, this variety produces big green heads on thick stalks. Closely related to cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi, this crop is worth growing for its nutritional content alone. According to Antibiotics (Basel). 2023 Broccli is rich in vitamins and minerals and a good source of vitamin A, potassium, folic acid, iron, and fibre.
Broccoli can be eaten raw but blanched broccoli helps give it a more crisp-tender texture and bring out its flavor. Broccoli can also be steamed, sautéed, and roasted. You can use broccoli in various dishes, such as Chili garlic shrimp and broccoli, Broccoli Parmesan pasta, Roasted broccoli and tomatoes and more.
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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. Broccoli should be planted in a site that gets full sun, 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day. Lack of sunlight may produce thin, leggy plants and subpar heads.
Read on to know more on how to grow broccoli.
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Types
- Calabrese: It is an heirloom broccoli (from Italy) with large heads and prolific side shoots that will mature for harvesting. Great for fall planting, too.
- Flash: It 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: This is heat-tolerant with giant heads and prolific side shoots.
- Green Duke: It is heat-tolerant and an early variety that’s especially good for Southern gardeners.
- Green Magic: It is heat-tolerant and freezes well.
- Paragon: This variety has extra-long spears and is excellent for freezing.
When To Plant Broccoli?
Broccoli is a cool-season crop, so it should be started in early- to mid-spring (depending on your climate) for an early summer crop or in mid- to late summer for a fall crop. High temperatures will affect the development of the broccoli head, so the goal is to get broccoli to mature before or after high temperatures are expected.
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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.
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks (about 2 months) before your last frost date. After which sow the 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, sow seeds outdoors 85 to 100 days (about 3 and a half months) before the first fall frost, when soil and ambient temperatures are high.
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How To Plant Broccoli
- If starting seeds outdoors, sow seeds 1/2-iinch deep and 3 inches apart.
- Once seedlings reach a height of 2 to 3 inches, thin them down so that plants are 12 to 20 inches apart.
- If you start 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.
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Tips For Growing Broccoli
Fertilisers
Broccoli needs a lot of nutritional boosts to grow as a fast-growing plant. Your plant will benefit from a monthly dosage of rich manure or tea compost.
Watering
Like other greens, broccoli needs to be well hydrated. Water the roots of the plant deeply, about an inch-deep per week.
Temperature
The ideal temperature for growing broccoli is between 18-22°C (65-70°F).
Sunlight
Broccoli, like other brassicas, requires full sun for 5-6 hours to produce a good yield. However, as the soil temperatures rise, the plant may start bolting at some point.
Diseases & Pests
Broccoli is not prone to many diseases, but do keep an eye out for aphids and cabbage fly.
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Now that you are all set to get your hands dirty and grow this nutritional vegetable, grab your high-quality heirloom seeds and get started.
