Growing Broccoli In Your Home Garden - Beginner Guide

Broccoli is worth cultivating just because of its nutritional value. Vitamin A, potassium, folic acid, iron, and fiber are all high in this cole crop, making it a nutritious source of these minerals.

Be patient since broccoli takes a long time to mature. Once the main head of a broccoli plant is harvested, it will typically continue to produce tiny side shoots that can be eaten for months.

Broccoli Varieties 

1. Blue Wind

Blue Wind is a broccoli cultivar that grows in USDA zones 5-8 and takes 49-55 days to mature. This is one of the earliest varieties available, and by 60 days, a full, tight head will have formed.

Blue Wind produces tasty side shoots after you harvest the main head, allowing you to harvest for longer than you would otherwise.

Blue Wind develops bluish-green leaves at the top of the plant, as the name suggests. They resemble kale in appearance. Make sure it gets enough of sunshine and that the plants are spaced 18-24 inches apart.

This kind is great for braising or steaming. It has a sweet, mild flavor that is soft, and when cooked, its flavor comes through.

2. Di Cicco

This broccoli cultivar is an Italian heirloom that thrives in USDA zones 3 through 10. It produces blue-green heads that are tiny to medium in size.

DiCicco broccoli heads have a tendency to lack consistency, which means they grow at varying rates. That may not be a desirable feature for a commercial farmer, but it is great for home gardeners.

In as little as 50 days, DiCicco may produce mature heads. After the primary head has been plucked, expect a slew of side shoots to sprout.

3. Calabrese

This is a heritage broccoli type from Italy that grows well in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 10.

Despite the fact that it originated in Calabria, a region in southern Italy, it thrives across much of the continental United States. It's possible that the broccoli at the supermarket is a Calabrese type. Calabrese produces medium to big green heads that mature in 65 days.

The little blooms are contained inside the tight florets of the center head. They resemble little trees, as you may have noticed. This type generates extra side shoots after the main head is harvested, so let the plant alone.

5.  Green Magic                                                      

This broccoli is the polar opposite of Eastern Magic in that it thrives in hot conditions. Green Magic thrives in USDA zones 3 through 9. It was bred to withstand the extreme heat of the United States' southern states.

Green Magic produces heads that are smooth, domed, and medium in size. The heads are blue-green in color and have a distinct butter taste. It takes around 60 days for a mature head to be ready to harvest.

Broccoli Growing Conditions

Planting: Broccoli is a cool-season vegetable that prefers temperatures in the 60s during the day but can survive light frost and temperatures as low as the 20s. Many gardeners plant broccoli in the early spring for the major harvest, then let the plants to thrive throughout the summer for an autumn crop.

Summer Heat: In hot weather, broccoli will "bolt" (go to seed), losing taste and toughening the texture. Some types can withstand higher temperatures than others.

Light: Broccoli need at least 4-5 hours in direct sunlight every day.

Soil: Broccoli prefers a soil that is rich, well-draining, and has a pH of approximately 6. Broccoli is in a race against time due to its short growth season and requires high-quality soil treated with plenty of rich compost. Plant your broccoli in mounds to help with drainage.

Fertilizer: Broccoli benefits from the use of organic fertilizer on a regular basis.

Harvesting: From planting to harvest, broccoli seeds take 3-4 months, whereas transplants take 2-3 months.

Broccoli Planting Tips

Seeds: Growing a spring broccoli crop from seed may be difficult unless you start seeds indoors throughout the winter, as the temperature will warm too soon. It's considerably easier to grow fall vegetables from seed in the garden. Plant broccoli seeds 14 to 12 inches deep and 5 weeks later, transfer to the garden.

Transplants: As soon as the ground can be worked in the spring, sow broccoli seedlings. Set broccoli transplants or seedlings a bit deeper in the soil than they were in the pot if you're planting them.

Spacing: Broccoli plants should be spaced around 18 inches apart.

Successful Plants: Because broccoli has a limited growth season, you may be able to stagger plantings every 2-3 weeks for a longer yield.

Broccoli Growing Tips

Feeding: Broccoli is a fast-growing vegetable that requires a lot of nutrients. Rich compost will aid in the feeding of your hungry broccoli, but it will also benefit from compost tea treatments or monthly applications of a balanced organic fertilizer.

Watering: Broccoli, like other vegetables, need consistent moisture. Give broccoli about an inch of water every week, and water thoroughly (rather than sprinkling) to stimulate deep roots; but, don't let your broccoli plants dry out between watering.

Diseases & Pests: Broccoli is relatively disease-free. Aphids, cabbage worms, and slugs are the most common bug pests.

Bolting: In the spring, you're in a race against the weather to protect your broccoli plants from going to seed. The cause is hot soil, therefore take steps to keep it cold as long as possible. Mulch, regular water, and shade coverings will help you extend your broccoli season, and when the weather heats, you should pick more regularly to avoid your plants going into seed mode.

Broccoli Harvest and Use

 

When to Harvest: Your broccoli is ready to harvest when the main head is several inches in diameter. Green, compact, and hard heads are ideal. The florets on your broccoli plant may be smaller if it generates side branches (but just as yummy). Broccoli heads will loosen and bloom into yellow flowers if left unharvested; if this happens, it's too late.

How to Harvest: Cut the main stalk of the broccoli at an angle, several inches below the blossom head, with a sharp knife. Continue to look after the broccoli plant; it will most likely produce side branches and more broccoli if you do!

Storage: In a non-airtight container, fresh, dry broccoli will last about 5 days in the fridge. Before using broccoli, make sure it's clean.