Is it too late to plant broccoli
for the best and biggest harvest |
(Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo / Kay Roxby )
You do need to know when to plant broccoli to ensure success with your homegrown crop.
One of the great joys of growing your own vegetables is that you get to harvest armfuls of super-tasty produce that’s better than anything you can buy in the shops – and broccoli is a prime example of that.
The first step in how to grow broccoli is knowing when to plant broccoli – and in most US regions there are two possible options.
It’s a cool season crop, meaning that as soon as temperatures rise and days get longer, broccoli will flower – known as ‘bolting’ – and will no longer produce spears. So keep reading to find out exactly when to plant broccoli, so you can avoid this happening.
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When to plant broccoli
To ensure your broccoli plants mature in the cool months of the year, you can either plant them in late winter or early spring as part of your vegetable garden ideas, for a harvest in spring and early summer the following year. Alternatively, if you live in a milder region, you can also plant broccoli in late summer or fall for a winter harvest.
In the UK, spring or early summer planting is best.
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When is the best month to plant broccoli?
Unless you are going to buy ready-grown baby plants or plugs, you first need to sow the broccoli seed.
If you want to plant broccoli in spring, sow seeds indoors in individual cells or 9cm pots, five or six weeks before the last frost is likely in your region. This is a job you can add to your list when planning a greenhouse.
Around three weeks after germination, harden the seedlings off for a few days and then transplant them into the garden or veg plot.
The aim is to harvest spring broccoli before daytime temperatures reach the mid-60s°F, so make sure there’s enough time for the variety you grow to mature before days start to become warm.
In regions that are mild in winter, you can also sow seed indoors in late summer and plant them out in fall for a winter harvest the following year.
Refer to your calendar of when to plant vegetables, and choose when to plant broccoli by reference to other crops you will be growing, and to make the best use of your growing space for successional harvests.
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When can I plant broccoli outside?
‘Broccoli should be started from seed when temperatures are low,' explains TV presenter and garden designer Mark Lane .
'Direct sow outside 2-3 weeks before the last frost. Then plant them outdoors ready to grow over summer and winter, and mature before high temperatures come along again,’ he adds.
Once it’s growing well, broccoli is frost tolerant – so even if it turns unexpectedly cold in the winter after planting, you will still get a tasty crop.
(Image credit: Thompson & Morgan)
How long does broccoli take to grow after planting?
Broccoli can take a while to grow depending on when you plant it, so you do need a little patience when growing it, explains Frances Tophill, BBC Gardeners’ World presenter.
‘Broccoli is one of my favorite vegetables to eat, but plants that go into the ground in spring sit in your beds through the whole summer and winter, before finally producing their florets the following spring. It’s worth the wait, though, as you should be able to harvest the florets for about a month on each plant between March and May, depending on when you sowed your seeds,’ she explains.
Because of its long time to maturity, it's probably best to only sow a small crop of broccoli if you're looking at small vegetable garden ideas, as you'll need to give precedence to fast producing crops for a continual harvest.
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How do you maintain broccoli after planting?
Broccoli is easy to grow if you plant it at the correct time, but ‘during their long maturing time, broccoli plants are prone to attack from birds and a whole host of insects,’ says Frances Tophill.
‘For this reason, netting is really important for broccoli.
To avoid the plants bolting early, keep the roots cool by planting them deep, and mulching them, regularly irrigating in dry weather and making sure they have plenty of nutrients in the soil,’ she adds. You can enrich the soil and provide the best growing conditions through permaculture gardening practices.
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Insects can also be a problem in the US, agrees Jo-Ellen Meyers Sharp, president of GardenComm in Indianapolis.
‘Broccoli is prone to getting tiny worms or caterpillars in the heads, but these are relatively easy to control with Bacillus thuriengiensis (Bt),’ she explains.
This is a naturally-occurring bacteria that lives in the soil and is toxic to some insects. It’s best applied, sparingly, at the first sign of attack, usually in early summer.
There is a way round this though: ‘March and April sowings are less at risk of caterpillar damage,’ says Charles Dowding , vegetable expert, no-dig gardening advocate and author of many books, including Veg Journal .
To protect your crops further from pests and help boost the yield, also look at companion planting them alongside beneficial crops.
Can you grow broccoli all year?
You can't grow broccoli all year, as it is a cool season crop, but you can choose to plant your seeds or plug plants at different times of the year, as above, to harvest broccoli for many months on end.
Sarah Giles is a freelance journalist who writes about her two main passions: gardening and food. For the last ten years she has been gradually designing her country garden, slowly been putting into practice all the garden design ideas she's been mulling over for years, although she admits she is forever starting on a new project, so it's a constant 'work in progress'.
Broccoli & Cauliflower: Planting and Growing Tips
If you want vegetables that are loaded with vitamins and nutrients as well as delicious flavors and beautiful, eye-catching colors, look no further than our numerous varieties of broccoli and cauliflower.
These really are “super-veggies”, packing a healthy punch in every scrumptious bite, offering heavy yields so you'll have plenty of fresh produce for every meal, and proving hardy and versatile enough to satisfy everyone.
Choosing a Broccoli or Cauliflower Variety
All broccoli and cauliflower are packed with vitamins and nutrients, so when choosing what varieties to grow, you'll base your decision mostly on size and color. There are several compact types that don't require a lot of space, so they're the best choice for a limited gardening area. Heat tolerance is also a factor, especially for those living in the south. And if you're wanting to get your children to eat more healthy veggies, you might want to look at the more colorful, fun varieties.
When to Start Broccoli and Cauliflower
Broccoli seeds are best started indoors 7 to 9 weeks before the last frost, at a temperature of 70 to 75°F.
They can also be sown outdoors 2 weeks before the last frost. For a winter crop in Zones 8 and warmer, sow in late summer. Expect germination in 10 to 14 days.
The same guidelines apply to cauliflower, except when starting indoors, sow your seeds 5 to 7 weeks before the last frost. Expect germination in 8 to 10 days.
Since cauliflower is more sensitive to cold than its cabbage-family relatives, you need to start it early enough that it has a chance to mature before the heat of the summer. Be careful, however, not to start it so early it gets damaged by the cold.
How to Start Broccoli and Cauliflower
Sow your broccoli and cauliflower seeds at a depth of 4 times the size of the seed, or ½ inch deep, and water thoroughly. Once the seeds have sprouted, be sure to keep the soil lightly moist.
Make sure the plants receive plenty of lightfluorescent light for around 14 to 16 hours a day is also ideal for the fastest growth.
You will want to keep the seedlings just a few inches below the light so they don't “stretch” and get “leggy." If you don't have fluorescent lighting, a south-facing window will do just fine.
Broccoli45 to 60 days from sowing to harvesting
Cauliflower30 to 80 days from sowing to harvesting
Transplanting Broccoli and Cauliflower Seedlings
Transplant your broccoli and cauliflower seedlings when they have at least two sets of true leaves. This should be done about 2 weeks before the last frost. Site them in full sun in a rich, moist, well-drained soil, spacing the young plants 18 to 24 inches apart in rows that are 2½ to 3 feet apart. Feed both your Broccoli and Cauliflower with a low nitrogen fertilizer when first planting out. For your broccoli, fertilize again when the plants are 6 to 8 inches tall, 12 to 15 inches tall, and then when the buds first form. For your cauliflower, fertilize again every 4 weeks.
Keep the seedlings well watered and mulched to retain moisture and keep the roots cool.
Special Considerations
If your seedlings have been held too long or mistreated in some way before planting, they can create“buttons”, or small heads, that tend to flower prematurely.
Climatic elements such as extreme cold and drought can cause your plants to halt their full growth and form only “buttons”.
Don't allow your transplants to get too mature before moving them to your garden. If you do, they may become stressed by transplant shock.
A starter fertilizer applied when you transplant your seedlings will get your broccoli and cauliflower off to a good start, but it will not compensate for all the possible problems just mentioned.
Beets, onions, and garlic are all good companions for your broccoli and cauliflower.
Growing Tips: Broccoli and Cauliflower
- Broccolionce the head is fully developed, but before the individual flowers start to open, cut the central head along with 5 or 6 inches of stem.
Removing the central head will stimulate development of the side shoots, which will allow you to continue your harvest for several weeks. - Cauliflowerthe heads (curds) develop quickly under proper conditions, typically growing to 6 to 8 inches within 7 to 12 days after branching begins. Harvest the mature heads (they should be compact and firm) by cutting the main stem. If the heads develop a coarse, “ricey” appearance, they have over-matured. Cauliflower does not typically have side shoots, so you can compost the plants after the heads have been harvested.
- Store fresh, unwashed broccoli in your refrigerator's vegetable crisper for 3 to 5 days. Put it in a loose or perforated plastic bad, being sure not to store it if it's wetwet broccoli will quickly become limp and can get moldy. Its best flavor and nutritional value will be maintained if storage is brief.
- Uncooked cauliflower can be stored in a paper or plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Place it stem side down to keep moisture from collecting in the florets.
Pests and Problems to Watch For
- Aphids are often found on the underside of leaves. You can wash them off with a strong stream of water or use an insecticidal soap (be sure to follow the label instructions). Check the plants regularly, as aphids can be a recurring problem.
- Cabbage worms tend to attack the leaves and heads of related cole crops. Cole crops are crops that belong to the mustard family and have similar cultural requirements. They're hardy plants that prefer cool weather. The most commonly grown cole crops are broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, collards, and kohlrabi.
- There are three species of cabbage wormsimported cabbage worms, cabbage loopers, and diamond back moth worms. They're very destructive to plants, as they have a voracious appetite. Covering the plants with screening or a row cover can prevent the presence of these pests.
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When to plant broccoli and cauliflower for seedlings, sowing dates in 2020
Any cabbage is good, but crunch lovers know a lot about different types of this vegetable and can easily determine the difference between broccoli and cauliflower. In fact, these crops belong to the same family of plants, but they differ significantly in appearance and taste. The sowing dates for seedlings of these crops, on the contrary, are very similar. If you follow some planting principles and look at the Lunar calendar in time, you will definitely not go wrong with the harvest of broccoli and cauliflower. 9Ol000 and cauliflower: what the Lunar calendar for 2020 advises
- Table: astrologer's advice - we plant broccoli and cauliflower
- Video: sowing cabbage for seedlings
Broccoli and cauliflower - characteristics of plants
Broccoli or asparagus thrives best in a humid climate, it is thermophilic, responsive to watering and top dressing.
The optimal temperature regime for growing crops is +14 +18 ° C and humid weather. But in comparison with other types of cabbage, broccoli reacts poorly to lower temperatures, while drought and strong winds adversely affect the vegetation of the plant.
The growing season for broccoli in the middle zone is 90-100 days - early varieties, 100-120 days - mid-late cultivars, that is, after 3.5-4 months the first crop appears. Like cauliflower, it has a long fruiting period: the sprouts are cut when they reach 10–15 cm in diameter. At the same time, new heads develop from the lateral buds, so broccoli is able to bear fruit again, especially in mild climates.
A sign of broccoli quality is a dense and heavy head in green leaves
Cauliflower is more thermophilic - seed germination requires a temperature of +18 +20 °C. Active growth of shoots and fruit formation occurs with warm sunny weather, regular watering and following the feeding regimen.
This cabbage ripens in 100-140 days from the date of sowing seeds for seedlings - the period depends on the variety.
Small loose heads of cauliflower are cut for human consumption before the buds develop into yellow flowers. Creamy white sprouts may be round or slightly flattened. The full ripening of this cabbage occurs in 4-4.5 months from the moment of sowing: early varieties are ready for harvest in 100-120 days, mid-ripening - after 120-130 days, late - 140-170 days.
Cauliflower can be harvested within a month - the head remains dense, the pulp does not lose its taste
Instructions for calculating cabbage planting: how and when to sow correctly this procedure in April or early May, especially in regions with a harsh climate. Sowing cauliflower experts recommend starting in mid-March. Sow this crop continues until the end of spring, depending on the varietal characteristics of the cultivar.
In a mild southern climate, planting cabbage of any ripening period can be carried out directly in the ground, this procedure is started no earlier than mid-April.
In order to determine the date of sowing seeds, it is necessary to calculate the date of picking into the ground. Cabbage is sown about 35-45 days earlier than this date - it all depends on the ripening period of the variety or hybrid of broccoli or cauliflower.
Table: Sowing time of broccoli and cauliflower seeds
| variety and cabbage variety | Age of seedlings | Early varieties | 30–50 | During March | From April 1 to April 25 |
| Mid-season varieties | 30–40 | From the end of March to April 20064 | From late April to June 1, | ||
| Late varieties | 30–35 | from late April to mid-May | from mid-May to 3 to June | Color Cabbage | 35–45 | Mid-March to early April | April 15 to May 1 | Mid-season varieties | 35–45 | Late 06 to April | From the 3rd decade of April to the end of May | Late varieties | 30–40 | From the end of April to June 1 | From the end of May to the middle of June | | stage: the first time I sow in the middle of March, respectively, I plant these plants in the ground for the May holidays from May 1 to May 10, I spend the second sowing in the first April decade - I dive seedlings from May 20.
If possible, I transplant into open ground for the second time in cloudy cool weather - by this time we have heat in the south of the Chernozem region, and cabbage loves coolness and humidity. This method facilitates the process and allows you to get an early harvest of any type and variety of your favorite crispy vegetable. 
It is necessary that the daily temperature be within +16 +20 ° С, the soil must also be warm enough, then the plants will quickly take root. 
| Lunar calendar days for 2020 | March | April | May|
| Favorable days for sowing | 4, 5, 11–14, 17, 18, 27-30 | 9, 10, 14, 18, 19, 25–27 | 5, 7, 8, 11, 20-24, 30 |
| Unfavorable days for sowing | 7, 10, 19-21, 23-26 | 3, 4, 15-17, 20-22, 30 9006 | 13, 14, 17–19, 25–29 |
Video: sowing cabbage for seedlings
Broccoli and cauliflower are common vegetable crops, they can be grown both through seedlings and direct planting in the ground. But at the same time, it is important to take into account the timing of plant ripening, varietal characteristics, the climate of the region of growth and the prevailing weather conditions of the area. If you do not ignore the rules of agricultural technology, these vegetables will surely please you with a glorious harvest.
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Broccoli - cultivation and care. In open ground. seedlings. Photo - Botanichka
In another way, broccoli is called asparagus cabbage, and, in fact, it is a kind of cabbage familiar to all of us, a culture that belongs to the Cabbage family and in which unblown inflorescences are eaten, and not leaf blades, like other representatives of the subspecies . Not everyone knows that cauliflower is genetically closest to her, or rather, cauliflower literally came from broccoli, that is, it is younger than the latter.
Broccoli, or asparagus. © msu Broccoli was obtained by simple selection around the fifth or sixth century BC, when no one, of course, knew about such a concept as selection.
For a long period of time, literally several centuries, broccoli was grown exclusively on the territory of modern Italy. Translated from Italian, broccoli means offshoot, and anyone who has seen broccoli will immediately understand why it was called that.
The first detailed description of broccoli is found in manuscripts dating from the end of the 16th century, at the same time the crop made its way to England, where it was presented as Italian asparagus. Almost simultaneously, broccoli came to the American continent, where it did not cause such a stir as in England, at first; and only almost four centuries later, broccoli was remembered in America, and this country became its largest exporter to other countries.
Currently, in addition to the United States, broccoli is actively cultivated in India, China, France, Spain, Italy, Turkey, and Israel. In Russia, the production of broccoli is concentrated in the hands of private small farms.
Description of broccoli
In appearance, broccoli strongly resembles cauliflower, however, its inflorescences are not cream-colored, but green.
In the first year, the stalk of broccoli grows by 70-80 cm and numerous succulent-type flower stalks form on its tip. These flower stalks are crowned with dense clusters of green buds, which are arranged in a loose head of medium size. It is this head that is eaten by cutting it off before the flowers form. If you delay the harvesting of broccoli and the buds turn yellow, then it will be almost impossible to eat such cabbage.
As new buds begin to form from the lateral buds after the head of broccoli is cut, cabbage can produce crops for several months.
Experts note an increase in demand for broccoli literally all over the world; if we take the average figures for different countries, then in terms of consumption of broccoli, only a fraction of a percent is inferior to traditional cabbage.
In this material we will tell you how to grow broccoli through seedlings, how to properly care for it, how to harvest and what varieties you should pay attention to.
Growing broccoli through seedlings
When to start sowing broccoli seeds?
Usually, sowing of broccoli seeds for seedlings is carried out at the very beginning of March and continues until the middle of the month. As for varieties, when choosing them, it is necessary to take into account the climatic features of your region, for example, in the northern regions, where summer is short and rather cool, you should not consider late-ripening varieties for planting, here you need to focus on early and medium early varieties.
To avoid surprises in the future, try to buy broccoli seeds only in specialized seed stores and be sure to take the freshest ones.
How to prepare broccoli seeds?
After purchase, sort the seed material, select the largest of them and soak them in water heated to 50 degrees for about a quarter of an hour. Next, broccoli cabbage seeds should be immersed in cold water with a temperature of about 10 degrees, thus you will “wake them up”.
It remains to soak broccoli seeds in a solution of any growth stimulator such as Heteroauxin, IMC and others in order to accelerate their germination. Soak broccoli seeds in a growth stimulant solution for 7-8 hours, then rinse in running water, put in the refrigerator door for a day, and then dry to flow on a dry napkin.
Sowing broccoli seeds
You can sow the seeds in any containers with a side height of about 25 cm. ash and humus in equal proportions). The soil must be loose, water and breathable. After the containers are filled with soil, it is necessary to pour it from a spray gun, preferably with rainwater, and then make grooves a little more than a centimeter deep with a distance of three centimeters between them. When the grooves are ready, you can sow broccoli seeds, then sprinkle them with soil, compacting it a little.
Next, it is important to monitor the temperature in the room where the broccoli seedlings are grown. The temperature before germination should be at the level of 19-20 degrees, immediately after the emergence of sprouts on the soil surface, the temperature should be lowered to 9-11 degrees for about 7-8 days, and then the temperature should be adjusted depending on the time of day.
So, during the day in sunny weather, it should be maintained at the level of 15-17 degrees, and in cloudy weather 12-13 degrees. At night, regardless of the weather outside the window, the temperature in the room should be at the level of 8-10 degrees Celsius.
The air humidity in the room should be maintained at 80-85%, the soil should also be kept moist, but do not overfill the soil, otherwise a black leg may appear, which will destroy the seedlings.
Picking broccoli seedlings
Picking broccoli seedlings is usually done when the seedlings are 14-15 days old. As containers for picking, it is most convenient to use peat pots, further transplantation of them is not needed, they dissolve in the soil and serve as additional nutrition for seedlings at the initial stage. Broccoli seedlings should be dived carefully, trying not to damage the roots. Previously, the cups should be filled with the same mixture that you prepared for sowing, pour it from a spray bottle, make indentations.
Next, with a small stick, for example, from ice cream, you need to carefully select the seedlings from the box, place them in the holes of the cups, compact the soil and water again from the spray bottle.
Before the seedlings of broccoli get stronger, it must be protected from direct sunlight by shading. At the same time, you need to increase the temperature in the room, bringing it to 20-22 degrees.
After two or three days, when the broccoli seedlings take root, you can fertilize by adding a solution of nitroammophoska. To do this, a tablespoon of complex fertilizer must be dissolved in a bucket of water, 50 g of the solution can be poured into each cup. After top dressing, you need to lower the temperature again and adjust it depending on the time of day. During the day, it is necessary to maintain the temperature at 16-18 degrees, and at night lower it to 8-10 degrees.
Approximately two weeks before planting in the ground, broccoli seedlings can be hardened off by taking them out onto a balcony or loggia first for 2-3 hours, a couple of days, then for 8-10 hours, a couple of days, then try to expose the seedlings early in the morning and clean late in the evening and, finally, 2-3 days before planting, leave the seedlings overnight.
Planting broccoli seedlings outdoors
When should I plant broccoli seedlings outdoors?
Usually the age of broccoli seedlings before planting in open ground is 40-50 days, no more. At this point, the seedlings should have five or six true leaves, this is a signal that it is time to plant it.
Calendarly, this period usually falls in the middle or second half of May, however, if it is cold during this period and the soil is not warm enough, then the planting period for broccoli seedlings can be shifted.
For planting broccoli seedlings, it is imperative to choose the most open and well-lit area; it is fine if it is protected from the cold wind from the north side. Try to choose a bed on which green manure crops have grown before, carrots, onions, any cereals, legumes and potatoes are the best predecessors. Bad predecessors for broccoli are: table beets, radishes, tomatoes, radishes and turnips; if they grew on the site earlier, then broccoli can be planted in this place only after four seasons.
Broccoli Soil
The best soil for broccoli is neutral to slightly alkaline soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Soil preparation for planting seedlings must begin in the fall, but this can also be done in the spring, at least a week before planting seedlings. For digging the soil on a full bayonet of a shovel, which must be combined with the maximum removal of weeds, it is necessary to add well-rotted manure or compost in the amount of three kilograms per square meter. In the event that the soil is acidic, add lime - 200 g per square meter.
Broccoli seedlings planted in the ground. © MarkHow to plant broccoli seedlings outdoors?
Plant broccoli seedlings in the ground preferably early in the morning and preferably in cloudy weather. The optimal planting pattern is 35 by 50-55 cm. Planting is carried out in holes that must be dug a day or two before planting seedlings, and watered before planting (0.5 l). In the wells, in addition to water, you need to add 6-7 g of nitroammophoska, thoroughly mixing the fertilizer with moistened soil; then it is necessary to place the seedlings in the hole in a peat cup or with a bare root system, sprinkle with soil, compact it and water it again (250-300 g per plant).
Next, it is important to keep an eye on the weather: if frosts are expected, then the seedlings should be covered using glass jars or plastic bottles cut in half. Be aware that even at two degrees of frost, broccoli seedlings can die.
Care for broccoli
Care for broccoli consists in loosening the soil, preventing the formation of a crust; in weeds, preventing competition from weeds; watering and fertilizing. Two weeks after planting the seedlings, it is also necessary to carry out hilling, which must be repeated in a week. Hilling can be combined with loosening the soil.
Remember that freshly planted broccoli seedlings can be damaged by the bright rays of the sun on especially hot days, so it should be shaded for about 3-4 days at noon. On very hot and dry days, in addition to strictly mandatory watering, it is also necessary to spray the air around the plants, and the more often you do this, the higher the yield and its quality.
When loosening the soil, try not to dig the tool deeper than eight centimeters, otherwise the roots may be damaged.
Loosening is preferably carried out the next day after watering or heavy rain.
Watering broccoli
Speaking of watering: broccoli is usually watered every 6-7 days, however, if there is a drought and the temperature is at around 24-26 degrees and above, then watering can be done more often. When watering, try to moisten the soil, and not turn it into a swamp. Do not forget about spraying, sometimes they are even more useful than watering, for example, in regions with dense, clay soil.
Broccoli, or asparagus. © allison mcdBroccoli Fertilizer
Naturally, if your plans include getting a full-fledged harvest, then you must definitely provide for top dressing. You can feed broccoli more often. For the first time (not counting the feeding of seedlings and fertilizing the hole during planting), broccoli can be fed 12-14 days after planting in open ground. At this time, organic fertilizers are more important for plants. You can feed broccoli with a solution of mullein, about 250 g of mullein is needed for a bucket of water.
To increase the nutritional value of the solution, you can add a teaspoon of any nitrogen fertilizer, such as urea. If there is no mullein, then chicken manure can be used, but it must be dissolved in a ratio of 1 to 20. The consumption rate of any of these solutions is about a liter per square meter.
The next feeding of broccoli can be carried out 18-20 days after the first. This time, nitrogen fertilizers are more important. It is desirable to use ammonium nitrate in the amount of a matchbox per bucket of water. The consumption rate is the same - a liter per square meter of soil.
The third top dressing can be carried out towards the end of the summer period, at this time potash and phosphorus fertilizers are most important for broccoli. It is necessary to dilute 30-35 g of superphosphate and 9-11 g of potassium sulfate in a bucket of water and irrigate the soil, spending 1.5 liters per square meter.
After the first wave of harvest begins and the central head is removed, the broccoli should be fed again to stimulate the growth of side shoots.
To do this, in a bucket of water you need to dissolve a tablespoon of nitroammophoska and pour a liter of solution under each bush.
A week after this top dressing, you can apply 150-200 g of wood ash under the plants, this is a good potash fertilizer. For greater efficiency, ash must be scattered over previously loosened and watered soil.
How to harvest broccoli?
We've already touched on harvesting a bit: you need to know that broccoli should be harvested before its flowers open. This moment is easy to miss, so you need to keep a close eye on the cabbage. There are a number of signs by which you can understand that the cabbage is ready for harvest, for example, head size : ready for harvest they have a diameter of about 12-14 cm. dark green color, the buds must be closed. At the beginning of the yellowing of the buds, the collection must be carried out immediately, otherwise it will be too late, and the entire crop will simply disappear, that is, it will not be tasty and with reduced nutritional value.
Broccoli must be harvested in the morning when it is in turgor. In this case, it is advisable not to cut off the heads, but to cut them off, using the sharpest and cleanest knife for this.
Most often, 60-65 days pass from the moment the seedlings appear on the soil surface until the first harvest, usually the harvest of broccoli continues until mid-September. The entire crop must be harvested before frost.
Broccoli, or asparagus. © Matt GreenBroccoli varieties
There are currently 37 varieties of broccoli in the State Register. Of the early varieties of broccoli, it is worth paying attention to the cultivars: Venera, Vyarus, Green Magic and Corato, of the mid-early varieties of broccoli, Macho, Moscow Souvenir, Naxos and Fiesta have proven themselves well, from the category of mid-ripening varieties of broccoli, we can distinguish: Batavia, Heraklion, Dwarf and Curly Head, out of mid-late are considered the best: Ironman, Lucky, Monterey and Orantes, well, and finally, from the late-ripening ones stand out: Agassi, Belstar, Beaumont and Quinta.
