Broccoli plants like to mature in cool weather. When growing broccoli from young plants, choose vigorousBonnie Plants®and plant them in the springtime in full sun. When sowing seeds, plant them a couple of weeks before your last spring frost date, then move them to the garden once all chance of frost has passed.Fall crops can be planted in late summer or early fall.
Choose an area with full sun and well-draining soil. Loosen the top 6 inches of soil, then mix in a 3-inch layer ofMiracle-Gro® Performance Organics®All Purpose In-Ground Soil, which is enriched with aged compost that will provide your plants with lots of invigorating nutrition and just the right texture for strong-growing roots. Plant young Bonnie Plants® broccoli plants 18 to 24 inches apart. If you're planting in the fall, make sure to get plants into the ground 8 weeks before your first expected fall frost (seeds will require 85 to 100 days).
To give your broccoli plants their best chance at success, use Miracle-Gro® soil and plant food together to create the ideal nutrition-filled growing environment. A month after planting, fertilize growing broccoli plants with Miracle-Gro® Performance Organic® Edibles Plant Nutrition Granules, which supports both soil and plants, and feeds continuously for up to 6 weeks. (Be sure to follow all of the directions on the label.) You can also help your broccoli grow big and strong by keeping the soil consistently moist, adding a 3-inch layer of mulch to help conserve moisture. If you receive less than an inch of water, especially in the summertime, you'll need to give Mother Nature some help. Also, remove weeds around the plants carefully so you won't disturb the roots of your crop.
When the broccoli heads are firm and tight, cut them off with a sharp knife. If heads with buds are beginning to separate into yellow flowers, that means the broccoli is past its peak, although it's still edible. Learn more tips on harvesting in our article "How to Harvest Broccoli."
Broccoli tastes the best right after it's picked, although you can store it in your refrigerator's crisper drawer for up to a week after harvest. Whether you steam it, bake it, sauté it, or serve it raw, your broccoli harvest will add a hearty nutritional boost to your meals.
FAQs
Broccoli's optimum growing conditions include a location with well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5 and at least six hours of sun. Soil test your location several weeks prior to your planting date to adjust and apply amendments accordingly. Avoid soils that are sandy or hold too much moisture.
How do you take care of a broccoli plant? ›
Keep soil moist by giving broccoli plants 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. Make the most of your broccoli growing efforts by regularly feeding with a continuous-release plant food. Lay down a thick layer of organic mulch made from finely ground leaves or bark to preserve soil moisture and prevent weeds.
What is the best month to plant broccoli? ›
Planting. For spring-planted broccoli, start seeds indoors in early to mid-April. For the fall crop, you can start seeds indoors or out, in early to late July. Whether you plant in spring or summer, a row cover will shield the plants from wind and insects during the first weeks of growth.
How long does it take to grow broccoli? ›
Plants take four to ten months to start cropping, depending on sowing time and variety, then provide pickings for up to two months. Summer varieties crop much more quickly than winter varieties. Broccoli is ready to harvest when the small heads, or spears, are well formed but still tightly in bud.
How many heads of broccoli do you get from one plant? ›
A head of broccoli is considered the main stem and branch. Each plant produces just one head. Once the large central head is harvested, florets continue to emerge from leafstalks.
Should I cut off broccoli flowers? ›
If you find a broccoli flowering in your garden you may wonder whether it's still edible. It is, although bolted vegetables often become more bitter tasting. Ideally, aim to cut your broccoli heads at the tight bud stage, when the head is firm. If you spot a plant beginning to bolt, harvest the head immediately.
Are coffee grounds good for broccoli? ›
Coffee grounds
As the grounds break down, they will release potassium, nitrogen, magnesium and other beneficial minerals into the soil. Coffee grounds also lower the soil's pH which is beneficial for some types of plants, like artichokes, broccoli, lima beans and beets.
What is the best fertilizer for broccoli? ›
Choosing the Best Fertilizer for Your Broccoli
Organic options like compost, blood meal, and fish emulsion are like a slow-cooked meal for your plants, releasing nutrients at a leisurely pace and improving soil health. They're the tortoises of the fertilizer race, winning with sustainability and soil structure in mind.
Can I plant broccoli in May? ›
Broccoli and cauliflower plants grow very well while young when it's warm, like the 80-degree temperatures of September, but they do not tolerate such warmth when they're old and it's time to form a head. This is why you can start them at the end of summer, but you can't start them in the spring.
Does broccoli come back every year? ›
Most varieties of broccoli grow as annuals, producing a large head at the end of the season and that's that. But perennial broccoli, also known as sprouting broccoli, produces many small, tender florets. Broccoli can be grown as a perennial even in areas where temperatures hit minus 20 degrees.
Broccoli grows best in a spot with full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days. However, in very hot climates, partial shade from afternoon sun might be necessary to prevent bolting, or the plant flowering and going to seed.
Will broccoli regrow after cutting? ›
Cut your broccoli head so that about three or four inches of stem remains on the plant, this will allow side shoots to emerge within 2-3 weeks and continue growing for several more weeks. Leaves attached to the main stem will grow into side shoots that you are after.
Is broccoli difficult to grow? ›
Broccoli is easy to grow and yields quickly, providing you with a delicious, nutritious crop of blue-green heads, which can be harvested from summer to autumn, depending on when you sowed the seed. Sprouting broccolis are hardy and can can be harvested from March, further extending the growing season.
How do you grow big heads of broccoli? ›
7 Tips for Growing Outstanding Broccoli
- Try Different Types of Broccoli. ...
- Reduce Stressors. ...
- Plant in Rich, Tight Soil. ...
- Protect Transplants with Cloches or Covers. ...
- Feed and Water. ...
- Protect Plants in Hot Summers. ...
- Harvest Promptly.
Harvest in the morning before the soil warms up for best flavor. Leave 2-3 inches of the main stem on the plant. Cut with sharp scissors or a knife to avoid damaging the stem. The side shoots that grow are likely to form more open or spreading heads than the central stem, but they're every bit as tasty.
