
Feed broccoli once a month during the growing season with a balanced organic fertilizer. Continue feeding after harvesting the main head to encourage larger side shoots. As broccoli grows, provide consistent moisture and even watering. Don’t get the heads wet when watering.
Close spacing typically means the main heads will be smaller, but the side shoots will be larger.
For square foot gardening, allow at least one square per plant. Firm the soil around the plants and water well. Plant transplants 12”-20” apart and deeper than nursery pot level (transplants can be floppy). Thin to 12”-20” apart when seedlings are 2”-3” tall. Broccoli likes rich soil that is high in compost and organic matter. Choose an area that gets at least 6 hours of sun. Although it likes cooler temperatures, broccoli needs at least 6 hours of sun. Belstar has proven to be widely adapted, and has performed particularly well in Florida in the winter. Di Ciccio: Italian classic variety with many side shoots freezes well. Organic hybrid for spring and summer plantings. Burgundy: Small main head with generous purple side shoots. Belstar: Heat-tolerant variety with many side shoots that grows well in mild-winter climates. Calabrese: Italian heirloom with a large head and many side shoots. Green Magic: Tolerates warmer temperatures small plant with smooth heads. Imperial: Grows best in warm weather growth slows down as temperatures cool. Select a broccoli variety best-suited to your climate and tastebuds See my disclosure policy for more information.ġ. Once seedlings reach a height of& 2 to 3 inches, thin them so that plants are 12 to 20. Sow seeds 1/2-inch deep and 3 inches apart. Broccoli seedlings how to#
Learning how to grow broccoli is simple.ĭisclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If starting seeds outdoors, sow seeds 1/2-inch deep and 3 inches apart. For fall harvest, sow seeds outdoors 85 to 100 days before the first fall frost, when soil and ambient temperatures are high. Step 4: Water the seeds after planting so the trays or garden are moist. Keep seedlings well watered, but avoid getting broccoli heads wet. Broccoli typically takes 7 to 14 days to germinate. Seeds should be planted 1/2 inch deep and 12 to 24 inches apart. It should be kept on for 14-16 hours per day.
The light should hang a few inches above your seedlings at all times (move the light up as they grow taller). So be sure to add a grow light as soon as they begin to emerge from the soil. Step 3: Soak the seeds in water before planting to speed up germination. Broccoli seedlings growing indoors need a lot of light, or they will stretch and grow leggy. Step 2: Use a seed-starting soil mix when growing them indoors. Broccoli is a cool-weather, frost-hardy member of the brassica family grown for its edible flower buds and stalks. Although broccoli is packed with vitamins and minerals (vitamin A, potassium, folic acid, iron, & calcium to name a few), my family loves the taste and enjoys eating broccoli all season long. Step 1: Plant seeds at a depth of a quarter-inch.