Broccoli

Broccoli / Brassica oleracea

Broccoli is a vegetable, Broccoli is cool-season crop that, like spinach, can be grown in the spring or fall. In fact, you may be able to get a continual harvest throughout both seasons if you time planting correctly. A member of the cabbage family, broccoli is rich in vitamins.

Planting

1. Broccoli is hardy; it can germinate at temps as low as 40ºF.
2. Broccoli requires full sun and moist, fertile soil that's slightly acidic.
3. For spring plantings, direct sow outdoors (or transplant seedlings) 2 to 3 weeks before last spring frost date.
4. If you transplant, assume 10 less days for growth or the "days to maturity" on the seed packet.Space plants 12 to 24 inches apart, depending on the side heads you want to harvest.
5. Plant seeds 1 inch deep, 3 inches apart. You will need to thin seedlings.

Regular Watering

 Care

1. Fertilize three weeks after transplanting.
2. Provide consistent soil moisture with regular watering, especially in drought conditions. Some varieties of broccoli are heat tolerant, but all need moisture.
3. Do not get developing heads wet when watering.
4. Roots are very shallow, do not cultivate. Suffocate weeds with mulch.
5. Mulch will also help to keep soil temperatures down.

 Harvest/Storage

Harvesting..

1. Cut heads from the plant, taking desired amount of stem. Taking at least 6 inches of stem is recommended.
2. Broccoli heads will flower if left on the plant too long. Harvest while buds are just starting to swell before head begins to loosen from plant.
3. Late harvesting may also cause a woody or nutty flavor in the stem.
4. For best taste, harvest in the morning before the soil heats up.
5. Cut the stalk of the main head at a slant, about 5 to 8 inches below the head.
6. Store broccoli in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you wash before storing, make sure to dry it thoroughly.