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Broccoli is a cool-weather vegetable, prone to expansive flowering when exposed to too much heat. Dense, dark-green heads are full of flavor, which, straight from the garden, is unbeatable! Hardiness Zones: 5-11 (Find your hardiness zone.) When to Plant: Starter plants are available at nurseries and home improvement stores. Plant starters (seedlings) outside when all danger of frost has passed in mid-spring. Conditions: Broccoli prefers well-drained soil that is full of organic material and manure. Plant it in an open, sunny spot. Space Needed: Broccoli plants can grow up to 3 feet tall and need just as much space between each plant. Maintenance: Broccoli benefits from continuous feedings, so enrich the soil well with compost and liquid fertilizer throughout the growing season. Regular watering is essential. Notice that when a stalk shows yellow, it is about to flower and render itself inedible. Never let the main head flower, because it's your only shot at a large head of broccoli. If it flowers, additional side shoots will not emerge. When to Harvest: A main head will appear in the center of the plant. Once lopped off (by you, hopefully), smaller side shoots develop and continue to produce throughout the season. Average Yield: Expect 2-3 pounds of broccoli per plant over the growing season. Continuous Yield: Yes Life Cycle: Annual Difficulty Rating (1-5): 1 |
