Vegetable · Brassica
Broccoli
Brassica oleracea var. italicaA cool-season staple that forms one generous central head, then keeps giving smaller side shoots for weeks after. Even moisture and steady cool growth are what separate a tight head from a loose, bolting one. The one rule: never let it dry out on its way to harvest.
Sow depth
N/A — transplant seedlings
Spacing
18 in apart · rows 24 in
Sun
Full sun
Germination
N/A
Time to harvest
60–90 days
Difficulty
Moderate
When to sow broccoli
- Sow from about 3 weeks before your last expected frost until about 1 week before your last expected frost.
- Sow from about 14 weeks before the first expected autumn frost until about 11 weeks before the first expected autumn frost.
Transplant sturdy seedlings — set out once they have four true leaves.Harden off gradually so plants are not checked by the move outdoors.Plant firmly and deep, up to the first true leaves, for stability.
Keep soil evenly moist — irregular watering makes heads small and loose.Feed with a balanced fertilizer at planting and again mid-season.Mulch to conserve moisture and keep roots cool.
Cut the central head while buds are tight, before any yellow shows.Take it with 4–6 in of stem to encourage side shoots.Keep picking side shoots for weeks after the main head is gone.
Companion plants
Aromatic companions like dill and onions help confuse cabbage moths hunting for brassica leaves.
Watch out for
Cabbage white caterpillars — Chew ragged holes through summer. Cover with insect mesh from planting or hand-pick eggs.Clubroot — A soil-borne disease that stunts roots in acidic, wet ground. Lime beds and rotate brassicas on a four-year cycle.