Growing Broccoli Made Easy
Hello everyone, in this blog post, I want to take you on a journey on how to grow broccoli from seed to harvest. Broccoli is a cool-season crop that is rich in vitamins and minerals, making it a healthy addition to any diet. In this post, I will guide you through the process of growing broccoli, from planting the seeds to harvesting the crop.
To get started, it's important to know that broccoli can be grown in either spring or fall, depending on your climate. Broccoli does not like temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit and will bolt in high heat. If you want to grow broccoli in fall, start the seeds at least three months before the first frost date, which can be anywhere from July 15 to September 15 depending on your zone. If you want to grow broccoli in spring, start the seeds indoors at least six weeks before the last frost date, which can be anywhere from January 15 to March 15 depending on your zone.
To grow broccoli, sow broccoli seeds in a seeding tray about half an inch deep. After growing broccoli seedlings indoors for about four to five weeks, broccoli seedlings can be transplanted outside. Broccoli needs full sun, so always plant broccoli in full sun. Broccoli also loves soil that contains organic matter, such as lots of compost and worm castings. Broccoli likes soil that is slightly acidic, with a pH between 6 and 7. Do not over-fertilize broccoli; simple compost works really well. If you do need to add fertilizer to your broccoli garden, add low nitrogen, high potassium, and high phosphorus fertilizer.
Plant spacing for broccoli should be 12 inches apart, and row spacing should be 24 inches apart. Broccoli thrives in temperature between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, which is about 15 to 21 degrees Celsius. After seven to eight weeks, broccoli plants will grow to about 18 inches tall, and broccoli plants start to fill in. Keep the soil moist at all times, and make sure the soil is very well-drained so that the water does not collect around the plant.
After 10 weeks, broccoli heads start to form, and broccoli heads can be harvested anytime. However, it is better to wait a little bit longer for broccoli heads to become bigger. It is very satisfying to grow your own broccoli in your own garden. After three months, broccoli heads are ready to harvest, and you can harvest the main head of broccoli or the crown of broccoli. The broccoli plants will still keep producing side shoots that you can enjoy for months to come.
Common pests that attack broccoli are aphids, cabbage worms, and whiteflies. To protect against aphids and whiteflies, use a mixture of pure casted soap and neem oil and spray your broccoli plants at least once or twice a week. You can also create an alliance with ladybugs to help fight against aphids, as ladybugs munch on aphids. To fight against cabbage worms, use bt spray or spinoza spray.
In conclusion, growing broccoli from seed to harvest can be a very rewarding experience. Broccoli is a healthy addition to any diet, and with a little bit of patience and dedication, you can grow your own broccoli in your own garden. I hope this post has inspired you to grow your own broccoli and given you the knowledge and tools you need to do so. Thank you for reading, and happy gardening!