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BROCCOLI
ENVIRONMENTAL PREFERENCES
| Light: |
Sunny. |
| Soil: |
Well-drained, high organic matter. |
| Fertility: |
Rich. |
| pH: |
6.0 to 6.7 |
| Temp: |
Cool (60 to 65° F). |
| Moisture: |
Keep moist, not waterlogged. |
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CULTURE
| Planting: |
Start seeds indoors for early spring
transplants. Seed in beds or flats for fall transplants. |
| Spacing: |
15 to 24 inches by 24 to 36 inches. |
| Hardiness: |
Hardy annual. |
| Fertilizer Needs: |
Heavy feeder. Use starter fertilizer when
transplanting. Sidedress three weeks later and again as needed
with l- 1/2 ounces of 33-0-0 per 10 foot row. |
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CULTURAL PRACTICES
There are two types of broccoli, heading and sprouting. Most
garden broccoli is of the heading type which is closely related to
cauliflower and forms a large central head. When this is removed,
side branches will form throughout the summer. Sprouting or
Italian broccoli forms many florets or small heads but these do
not produce a solid head. |
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Broccoli Raab or Turnip broccoli is not a true broccoli
but, in fact, a type of turnip cultivated for its flower head. Can
be sown in spring to raise as an annual or can be sown in fall to
raise as a biennial. Harvest leaves in fall and flower shoots in
spring before they open. Cook and eat like asparagus. Most turnips
grown for their greens can also be treated this way. |
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To raise broccoli, buy transplants locally or produce
your own. Set out according to Table 10.11. Transplants for a fall
setting can be produced along with cabbage and cauliflower
transplants, taking about four weeks from seeding to setting into
the garden. Set plants 18 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart.
Sprouting and perennial broccolies are sown directly into the
garden in spring. Follow packet directions. Broccoli has a
relatively shallow, fibrous rooting system. Cultivate carefully
or, even better, mulch. |
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The heads of broccoli are really flower buds. These
must be harvested before the flowers open or show yellow. Mature
heads measure three to six inches across. Lateral heads that
develop later are smaller. |
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COMMON PROBLEMS
| Diseases: |
Downy mildew, sclerotica rot and blackrot. |
| Insects: |
Cutworms, cabbage worms, cabbage looper
worms, flea beetles, aphids, whitefly. |
| Cultural: |
Poor heading from buttoning; early flowers
from interrupted growth due to chilling when planted extremely
early, drying out, or high temperatures. |
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HARVESTING AND STORAGE
| Days to Maturity: |
60 to 100 days. |
| Harvest: |
Large terminal buds cluster before flowers
open, then small side buds cluster as they develop over
following weeks. Harvest with 6 to 8 inches of stalk. Harvest
sprouting and other types according to packet instructions. |
| Approximate yields: |
6 to 10 bunches (about 4 to 6 pounds) per 10
foot row. |
| Amount to Raise: |
8 pounds per person. |
| Storage: |
Very cold (32° F), moist (95% relative
humidity) conditions for 10 to 14 days. |
| Preservation: |
Freeze. |
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