Description
Botanical name
Brassica oleraceae var. italica
Family
Brassicaceae
Spacing
Plant a group of 4 seeds every square foot. When 5 cm (2″) tall, thin to one per square.
Depth
Plant seeds 3 mm (⅛”) deep.
Requirements
Best in full sun. pH around 6-6.8
Germination
Seeds will sprout in 7-14 days.
Pests
Leaf spot, downy mildew and black rot, as well as cabbage worms, cutworms and aphids.
Timing
Plant seeds 4 to 6 weeks before average last frost or as soon as soil can be worked, or start inside 4 to 6 weeks before average last frost.
Growing
Since broccoli has a very shallow root system, avoid digging the soil around the plants to weed. Water regularly (about 5 cm/2″ per week), but avoid watering the flower heads. Mulch to conserve soil moisture and reduce the soil temperature. Harvest when the main head gets to 7.6 cm (3″) in diameter, harvest the head. This will encourage large numbers of side florets.
Harvest
50-85 days
Season
Cool, annual
Links
Recipes from Mariquita Farm
