Broccoli
Brassica oleracea (Italica Group)
'Broccoli' is a plant in the Brassica (Mustard) genus with a scientific name of Brassica oleracea (Italica Group). The botanical name epithet for Broccoli (oleracea) means 'eaten as a vegetable'.
Broccoli is a popular vegetable, grown for its large edible flower head that closely resembles the closely related cauliflower .
It is an edible vegetable / herb that typically grows as an annual, which is defined as a plant that matures and completes its lifecycle over the course of a single year. Broccoli is known for its clump-forming habit and growing to a height of approximately 75.0 cm (2.44 feet). Popular varieties of Broccoli with home gardeners are De cicco, Calabrese, Packman, Green sprouting calabrese, and Waltham 29.Broccoli needs a moderate amount of maintenance, so some level of previous experience comes in handy when growing this plant. Ensure that you are aware of the soil, sun, ph and water requirements for this plant and keep an eye out for pests.
This plant info is provided by the myfolia gardener's wiki. All details about Broccoli have been kindly provided by our members.
How to grow Broccoli
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Partial Sun
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Medium
Apply fertilizer to developing seedlings beginning when the first true leaves appear.
Water regularly. Monitor for insect and disease problems.
Handle transplants carefully, control cutworms and avoid low temperatures to avoid damage to the terminal growing tip. Most Broccoli varieties grow best when temperatures are not too hot or too cold. Purple Sprouting broccoli is a hardy variety which is planted in the spring or summer for harvest the following spring.
Try to plant in a location that enjoys partial sun and remember to water moderately. Zone 3 to 10 are typically the USDA Hardiness Zones that are appropriate for this plant (although this can vary based on your microclimate). Ideally plant in loamy soil and try to keep the ph of your soil between the range of 6.2 and 7.2 as Broccoli likes to be in weakly acidic soil - weakly alkaline soil. Keep in mind when planting that Broccoli is thought of as half hardy, so remember to protect this plant from frosts and low temperatures.Growing Broccoli from seed
By our calculations*, you should look at sowing Broccoli about 42 days before your last frost date .
Transplanting Broccoli
Can be station-sown direct, but for best results should be raised in seed bed and transplanted when big enough to handle. Transplant broccoli when seedlings have second set of leaves.
Ensure that temperatures are mild and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Broccoli is a half hardy plant.By our calculations*, you should look at planting out Broccoli about 14 days before your last frost date.
Harvesting Broccoli
Harvest broccoli when the flower shoots are well developed, but before the flowers themselves have opened.
Seed Saving Broccoli
Broccoli will cross-pollinate with all other Brassica oleracea, so isolate when going to seed. Do not harvest heads on plants you intend to save for seed. 2 Some early broccoli will flower in the first year. Remove whole plant and hang to dry. 3
Companion plants for Broccoli
These plants have been known to grow well alongside Broccoli so consider planting:
geraniums, dill, alliums, rosemary, nasturtium, borage 1
Rosemary repels cabbage fly, geraniums trap cabbage worms, same general companion profile as all brassica (cabbage, kolhrabi, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, etc) 1
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Broccoli likes Pumpkin
Broccoli appreciates some shade during the heat of the summer, which the big leaves provide then. Prune enough of the pumpkin leaves to give the broccoli some part sun.
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Broccoli loves Chervil
deters aphids and slugs
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Broccoli loves Peppermint
deters aphids and cabbage moths
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Broccoli loves Basil
deters pests
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Broccoli loves Dill
deters pests
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Broccoli loves Anise hyssop
deters pests
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Broccoli loves Garden nasturtium
deters pests, shades soil.
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Broccoli loves Beetroot
beets add minerals to the soil
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Broccoli loves Greek oregano
repels the white cabbage butterfly
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Broccoli loves Tansy
repels cabbage butterflies
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Broccoli loves Onion
repels cabbage butterflies
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Broccoli loves Borage
Can provide some appreciated summer shade and deters pests
Repellent plants for Broccoli
These plants will not grow well with Broccoli so avoid planting these within close proximity:
mustards, Tomatoes, peppers 1
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Broccoli hates Bean
negatively affects growth
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Broccoli hates Strawberry
negatively affects growth
Common Broccoli problems
These problems, diseases and pests are known to affect Broccoli plants:
Cabbageworm, the larval stage of the white cabbage butterfly, is the most abundant species. Handpicking may control a light infestation. For organic control of a more serious infestation, Bacillus thuringiensis or spinosad can be used.
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Browning is a symptom of Boron deficiency that occurs in Broccoli.
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Nutrient deficiency that affects Broccoli. Hollow Stem can be caused by exces...
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Broccoli "Buttoning" can be caused by nitrogen deficiency, cold temperature s...
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“Ricing” may occur from excess nitrogen and high temperatures combining to fa...
Other names for Broccoli
Calabrese, Purple sprouting broccoli, White sprouting broccoli
Brassica oleracea, Brassica oleracea var. italica
Misspellings: Brocoli, Brocolli, Broccolli, Brassica oleracea var. italica, Broccoli, Brassica olderacea italica, Brokoli
Latest Broccoli Reviews
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08 Jul 2012
KathN's Broccoli "Early Purple Sprouting" was Reviewed day 330
Delicious sprouts and leaves, the stems are too woody to eat, however. It takes a lot of plants to harvest enough ongoing sprouts for a family of 4, however.
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08 Jul 2012
KiriBean's Broccoli 'Arcadia' (X) #1 was Reviewed day 107
A nice big broccoli. Very tasty.
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25 Jan 2012
queanbeyanite's Broccoli was
Reviewed day 270
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25 Jul 2011
mcav0y's Broccoli "Packman" was
Reviewed day 131
Grew well and consistently. Medium sized heads, but very prolific side shoots! You end up getting the same amount of broccoli as the larger head varieties in the end. I will use this again.
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02 May 2011
anelson's purple sprouting broccoli was Reviewed day 247
my only complaint is it takes up a lot of space relative to the size of the harvest. However this is mostly during the winter when the space is not needed. Really excellent flavor, superior to store bought veggies
Broccoli care instructions
How long does Broccoli take to grow?
When should I plant Broccoli?
Our when to plant Broccoli estimates are relative to your last frost date. Enter your frost dates and we'll calculate your sowing and planting dates for you!
Footnotes
1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants
2 http://www.seedsavers.org/instructions.htm
3 :The New Seed-starters Handbook; Published 1988
Popular varieties of Broccoli
- De cicco
- Calabrese
- Packman
- Green sprouting calabrese
- Waltham 29
- Purple Sprouting
- Green Goliath
- Early Purple Sprouting
- Belstar
- Munchkin
View the complete variety list for Broccoli »
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