Broccoli is a nutritious and versatile vegetable that is a favorite in many home gardens. Growing broccoli in your backyard not only ensures you have access to fresh produce, but it can also be a rewarding experience. However, broccoli requires some specific care to ensure healthy growth and optimal harvest. In this guide, we’ll walk through the process of growing broccoli in your backyard, from selecting the right variety to ensuring a timely harvest to prevent the heads from becoming seedy and undesirable.
Choosing the Right Broccoli Variety
There are quite a few different broccoli varieties on the market. If you search for broccoli seeds online, you may find yourself wondering which variety would work best for you. Over the years, many hybrid varieties of broccoli have been developed for specific climates or growing conditions.
The main thing to consider here is heat-tolerance and cold-tolerance. If you plan on growing broccoli in the spring months (as temperatures are warming), you probably want to choose a heat-tolerant variety. If you're growing broccoli in the fall (as temperature are cooling), you'll want a variety suited for those temperatures.
While some varieties are specific to certain climates or seasons, other varieties are widely-adapted and will perform well anywhere. Carefully read the product description when purchasing seeds to make sure you get a variety that will do well in your area.
When to Plant Broccoli
Broccoli is a cool-season crop, meaning it grows best in temperatures between 60°F and 80°F. For optimal results, it’s important to plant broccoli either in late winter or late summer. This allows the plant to mature during the cooler fall months, which produces the best-tasting heads.
- Spring Planting: If you want to harvest broccoli in the early summer, start your seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date. Transplant the seedlings into the garden about 2 weeks before the last expected frost.
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Fall Planting: To harvest in the fall, start seeds indoors in mid-to-late summer and transplant the seedlings into your garden in late summer. Broccoli tends to perform exceptionally well in the fall because of the consistently cooler temperatures, which help develop firm, flavorful heads.
How to Plant Broccoli
As is the case with most vegetables grown in the backyard garden, broccoli thrives in rich, well-draining soil. If your soil is hard and doesn't drain well, consider adding ample amounts of compost into or on top of the soil before planting. This will help the soil drain and also help it retain nutrients better.
Before putting your broccoli transplants in the ground (or in a raised bed), sprinkle Coop Gro organic fertilizer along the planting row or over the entire raised bed. This will ensure the broccoli seedlings have the nutrients they need to form roots in their new soil.
Broccoli plants should be given at least 1 foot of space in your backyard garden. This will give the plants room to get large and form a nice broccoli head. If planting multiple rows of broccoli, plant rows at least 3' apart to provide room for getting between rows and harvesting.
Watering and Feeding Broccoli
Once your broccoli is in the ground, consistent watering is key to promoting steady growth. Broccoli needs about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. It’s important to maintain even moisture throughout the growing season, especially when heads begin to form. Inconsistent watering can lead to poor head development or cause the plant to bolt prematurely (go to seed).
Broccoli also needs a decent supply of nutrients in the soil to form large plants and large heads. Generally, the size of the broccoli plant will determine how large the broccoli head will get. Feed your broccoli plants every 2-3 weeks with Coop Gro organic fertilizer for best results. Sprinkle a handful around each plant and lightly mix into the soil with your hand or a garden tool.
Managing Pests and Diseases on Broccoli
Like any garden crop, broccoli is susceptible to pests and diseases. However, with proper care, you can minimize damage:
- Common Pests: Watch out for cabbage worms, aphids, and flea beetles. Hand-picking pests or using organic pest controls, such as B.t. or spinosad, can help keep them at bay. Using row covers can also protect young plants from pests.
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Diseases: Broccoli is susceptible to fungal diseases like downy mildew and black rot. Ensure proper spacing and avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of fungal infections.
When to Harvest Broccoli
One of the most critical aspects of growing broccoli is knowing when to harvest. The best time to harvest broccoli is when the heads are firm, tightly packed, and deep green. This usually occurs about 50 to 70 days after transplanting, depending on the variety.
- Prevent Seedy Heads: If you leave broccoli heads on the plant for too long, they will start to flower and go to seed, which makes the heads loose, bitter, and unappetizing. This process is known as bolting, and once it starts, the broccoli is no longer suitable for consumption.
- Check Daily: As the harvest time approaches, check your broccoli plants daily. The heads can develop rapidly, and you’ll want to pick them just before the buds start to open.
- Cutting the Head: Use a sharp knife to cut the central head off the plant, leaving about 6 inches of stem attached. After harvesting the main head, many broccoli varieties will continue to produce smaller side shoots, extending your harvest for several more weeks.
Storing Broccoli After Harvesting
After harvesting, it’s best to store broccoli in the refrigerator to maintain freshness. Broccoli can last up to a week when stored properly. You can also blanch and freeze broccoli if you have an abundant harvest, ensuring you can enjoy your homegrown produce year-round.
Now You're Ready to Give It a Try!
Growing broccoli in your backyard garden is a rewarding process that provides you with a nutritious and delicious vegetable. By selecting the right variety, preparing the soil, watering consistently, and paying close attention to the harvest time, you can ensure a successful crop. Timely harvesting is key to preventing your broccoli from becoming seedy and undesirable, so keep a close eye on your plants as they mature. With proper care, your backyard garden can produce crisp, flavorful broccoli that enhances any meal.