Growing Broccoli

Broccoli has a reputation as a superfood. It is low in calories but contains a wealth of nutrients and antioxidants that support many aspects of human health. Of all vegetables, broccoli contains the most glucosinolates. This ingredient seems to defend the body against cancer! Want to grow your own broccoli? Here are some tips to help you sow, grow and harvest broccoli!

Grow your own broccoli 

The varieties that are doing well are the green Calabrese, the Purple Sprouting and the Southern Comet. We also have organic broccoli seeds available on our website.

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Sowing broccoli

Broccoli seeds are best started indoors 7 to 9 weeks before the last frost. You can also sow in the garden from April to the end of May.

Compost

Broccoli needs a lot of compost, so put a good layer in the seedbed before sowing. After the main top has been harvested, add compost or organic fertilizer to grow the side shoots. The soil should be moist but not soggy. Good drainage is necessary.

What goes well with broccoli? 

broccoli goes well next to pickles, beans, chamomile, cucumber, mint, bok choy, parsnip, oregano or spinach. But avoid strawberries, legumes and radishes near broccoli, they inhibit the growth of it.

Harvesting broccoli

If you sow broccoli in early April, you will harvest it in early July. When your broccoli head is ready to harvest, use a sharp knife and cut the head of the broccoli off the plant. Cut the broccoli head stem 5 inches (12.5 cm.) or more below the head, then remove the head off with a swift cut. Try to avoid sawing at the stem as this may cause unnecessary damage to the plant and ruin your chances for side harvesting later. After you have harvested the main head, you can continue to harvest the side shoots from the broccoli. These will grow like tiny heads to the side of where the main head was. By looking at the size of the florets, you can tell when these side shoots are ready for harvest. Simply cut them off as they become ready.

How to store broccoli?

broccoli tastes best on the day of harvest. You can keep it in the fridge (in aluminum foil) for about 7 days. When broccoli turns yellow, the taste becomes bitter.

Tips for Growing Broccoli

• Apply a layer of mulch to the broccoli seed bed.
• Harvest the broccoli before the flower buds open, otherwise the broccoli will taste bitter.

Use the button below to order the different kinds of broccoli seeds in our web shop.

View our range of broccoli seeds