BrassicasBrassicaceae
Broccoli.
Cool seasonDeer favorite
At a glance
The spec sheet.
- Indoor start
- Mar 1–15
- Direct sow / out
- Apr 10–20 (spring) / Aug 1 (fall)
- Germ
- 5–10 days
- Days to harvest
- 60–80 from transplant
- Spacing
- 15" apart, rows 30"
- Depth
- ¼"
- Square-foot
- 1 per square
- Qty target
- 8–12 plants for a family of 4 with steady harvest.
In our garden
Where broccoli grows here.
This crop is planted in 1 bedright now. Click through to see the full layout and what it’s planted with.
Plant
Transplant firmly — brassicas want to be seated deeply, halfway up the stem. Water in with fish emulsion.
Care
Row cover from transplant to protect from cabbage moth. Consistent moisture; 1" of water per week. Side-dress with compost when heads start forming.
Harvest
Cut main head when tight and dark green (buds still closed). Side shoots keep producing 4–6 weeks after main harvest.
Blanch 3 min & freeze; broccoli crumble frozen in bags for winter soups.
Companion planting
What broccoli likes, and doesn’t.
Good neighbors
Dill attracts parasitic wasps that eat cabbage worm caterpillars. Nasturtiums draw aphids away.
More in this family