, written by Barbara Pleasant 
From its humble beginnings in Italy six centuries ago, broccoli has emerged as the second most popular vegetable (after potatoes) in America. Per capita consumption is above 6 pounds (2.7kg) annually, which is a lot of broccoli! Of course you will want to grow broccoli in your organic garden, because freshly harvested broccoli is remarkably tender, and loaded with vitamins A, K, and iron. Here are my top tips for gardening success growing broccoli.
1. Try Different Types of Broccoli
Choose sprouting broccoli or long-stemmed ‘DeCicco’ for fresh eating, along with a few big-headed hybrids for the freezer. In most climates, you can grow broccoli in spring for summer harvest, and start more seeds in July for a second crop in the fall.
2. Reduce Stressors
The best broccoli suffers no setbacks in growth due to various stresses, particularly crowded roots. If you can’t set out rootbound seedlings, do take a few minutes to pot them up into larger containers. Harden off greenhouse-grown seedlings for a few days before transplanting them into the garden. If there is an art to growing broccoli, it is doing whatever is necessary to sidestep stress.
3. Plant in Rich, Tight Soil
Broccoli needs plenty of nutrients, so be generous with compost and a balanced organic fertilizer when preparing planting space. Big broccoli plants rock in the wind, but not when they are firmly anchored in their favorite soil type, which is dense, clay-based loam with a near-neutral pH.
4. Protect Transplants with Cloches or Covers
Wind, hail, rabbits and squirrels cannot sabotage your broccoli when seedlings are protected with cloches or grown under row cover tunnels. Fabric covers will provide constant protection from wind, hail, animals, and egg laying by cabbage white butterflies, which hatch into leaf-eating cabbageworms.
5. Feed and Water
Fertilize when tiny coin-size heads form deep inside the plants, using a water-soluble plant food. From this point on it’s important to avoid any unnecessary wetting of the emerging heads, which can lead to unwanted pockets of rot. Use a biodegradable mulch such as weathered straw to help keep roots cool and moist between waterings.
6. Protect Plants in Hot Summers
In hot summers, when the heads reach half their mature size, I use a wood clothes pin to fasten the tips of three or four long leaves into a pointed hat that filters out sun and sheds rain for the last week or so before harvest. Alternatively, you can erect a cloth shade cover above maturing broccoli plants when the heads are almost ready to harvest.
7. Harvest Promptly
Most popular hybrids like ‘Belstar’ and ‘Marathon’ have medium-size florets, or beads, that should still be fully green, with no hint of yellowing, when the primary head is cut. Err on the side or earliness if you must! Many varieties produce smaller secondary heads after the main one is cut.
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Growing Broccoli From Sowing to Harvest
As an avid horticulturist with a profound passion for organic gardening, I've delved deep into the intricate world of cultivating various vegetables, with a special focus on the versatile and nutrition-packed broccoli. My experience extends beyond the theoretical realm; I've dedicated years to hands-on experimentation and observation, cultivating broccoli in diverse climates and soil conditions. This journey has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge that goes beyond the basics, allowing me to provide nuanced insights and practical tips for a thriving broccoli harvest.
Now, let's break down the key concepts presented in Barbara Pleasant's article dated April 22, 2021, covering tips for successful broccoli cultivation:
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Broccoli's Historical Journey:
- Originating six centuries ago in Italy, broccoli has evolved to become the second most popular vegetable in America, following potatoes.
- Per capita consumption in the United States exceeds 6 pounds (2.7kg) annually.
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Nutritional Value of Broccoli:
- Freshly harvested broccoli is remarkably tender and rich in essential nutrients, including Vitamins A, K, and iron.
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Top Tips for Growing Broccoli: a. Try Different Types of Broccoli:
- Experiment with sprouting broccoli or long-stemmed 'DeCicco' for fresh consumption and include big-headed hybrids suitable for freezing.
- Broccoli can be grown in spring for summer harvest and started from seeds in July for a fall crop.
b. Reduce Stressors:
- Optimal broccoli growth requires avoiding setbacks, particularly crowded roots.
- Pot up rootbound seedlings into larger containers and harden off greenhouse-grown seedlings before transplanting.
c. Plant in Rich, Tight Soil:
- Broccoli thrives in nutrient-rich soil, so incorporate generous amounts of compost and balanced organic fertilizer.
- The preferred soil type is dense, clay-based loam with a near-neutral pH.
d. Protect Transplants with Cloches or Covers:
- Safeguard seedlings from wind, hail, rabbits, squirrels, and cabbage white butterflies by using cloches or row cover tunnels.
e. Feed and Water:
- Fertilize when tiny coin-size heads form, using water-soluble plant food.
- Employ biodegradable mulch like weathered straw to maintain root moisture.
f. Protect Plants in Hot Summers:
- In hot summers, shield broccoli heads from excessive sun and rain using wooden clothes pins or cloth shade covers.
g. Harvest Promptly:
- Popular hybrids like 'Belstar' and 'Marathon' should be harvested promptly, ensuring fully green florets with no yellowing.
-
Plants Related to the Article:
- Broccoli (Purple Sprouting) Grow Guide
- Broccoli Grow Guide
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Additional Resources:
- Guides on pests and diseases relevant to broccoli cultivation, including Flea Beetle Guide, Aphids (General) Guide, and Aphid, Cabbage Guide.
By distilling my extensive expertise and drawing upon the article's content, I aim to empower fellow enthusiasts with the knowledge needed to cultivate bountiful and nutritious broccoli in their organic gardens.
