How does broccoli grow

Gardeners in the far northeastern part of Minnesota, from Duluth north, can grow excellent quality broccoli all summer long, since summer is not as hot there.

Whether you plant in spring or summer, a row cover will shield the plants from wind and insects during the first weeks of growth. In spring, use a cover material that will give protection against cold.

In summer, use a lightweight material so that temperatures do not get too hot under the cover. If strong winds loosen a floating row cover, it can do more damage than the plants would suffer without it. You can also support the row cover with wire hoops. A variety of diseases affect broccoli, including Alternaria leaf spot, black rot, black leg, and clubroot. Since many diseases arrive on infected seed, always purchase clean, disease-free seed from a reliable source. Remove diseased plant material from the garden and destroy it, or bury it where found.

Use good cultural control practices to reduce disease problems and have a successful harvest. Practice crop rotation. Avoid planting broccoli where you grew related crops--Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, collards, kale, turnip, rutabaga, cabbage, mustard, bok choy, or kohlrabi--during the previous four years.

All rights reserved. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Home Yard and garden Find plants Vegetables Growing broccoli. Quick facts Grow where you have not grown related crops--cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, collards, kale, mustard, turnip or rutabaga--for the past four years.

For spring plantings, start seeds indoors in early to mid-April. For the fall crop, start seeds indoors or out, in early to late July. Gardeners in northeastern Minnesota can grow broccoli all summer long.

After you harvest the main head, smaller side shoots will grow for another harvest. Broccoli will continue to grow after the first light frosts in the fall. Soil pH and fertility. Open all Close all. Soil testing and fertilizer Have your soil tested.

For the plant to produce the main head, vegetative growth slows down to almost a standstill; all resources within the plant get directed to forming the main flower head sitting atop the broccoli stalk. It is time to harvest broccoli once the central head is fully developed, but before the individual green buds open and display small yellow flowers. At this time, the main head is tight and compact, and the florets are a deep, vibrant green color. Each floret should be about the size of a matchstick.

After the main head of broccoli is harvested, apical dominance breaks. Plant hormones send internal messages to the cells within the plant, encouraging the development of side shoots off the main stalk of the broccoli plant. Over time, each of these side shoots grows and develops into a smaller, harvestable head of broccoli, extending the harvest. Harvest each of these secondary flower heads off the plants when they reach the appropriate size.

When soil temperatures begin to climb, hormones within the plant trigger cells to elongate or stretch. Florets quickly become tall or leggy. Commonly known as bolting , this process occurs as the plant nears the end of its lifecycle in an attempt to go to seed.

The green flower buds open up, revealing yellow flowers. If any broccoli heads remain on your plants, make sure to harvest them immediately once they begin flowering. To harvest, use a sharp, clean knife to make a cut about five to six inches below the mature head. Try to do this cleanly, and without pulling, to avoid damaging the roots and remainder of the plant. After picking, most cultivars will continue to develop smaller side shoots with florets that are also good to harvest.

Add a little nitrogen-rich fertilizer to encourage their growth. These side shoots will be in plentiful supply for as long as you keep cutting them. Once you stop, expect the plant to flower, run to seed, and die. A bout of sudden heat may produce the same results. Read our complete guide to harvesting broccoli for more tips. Wrap the unwashed head in the paper towels. Place it in the low-humidity crisper bin of the refrigerator.

Place washed individual florets in boiling water for about three minutes, a process called blanching. When completely dry, freeze the florets in a single layer on a tray or cookie sheet. When they are frozen, store the florets in zippered plastic bags for up to one year. You can even feed the leaves to your chickens. Broccoli contains beneficial vitamins and minerals including A, C, folic acid, calcium, and potassium. For a fresh green side dish, try a simple broccoli salad with asparagus and radishes.

You can find the recipe on our sister site, Foodal. Or how about the melding of sweet potatoes and broccoli with olive oil and a fried egg for a Sunday brunch? Get the recipe now from our sister site, Foodal.

How does your vegetable garden grow? For further reading about broccoli , we direct you to these additional articles next:. Nan Schiller is a writer with deep roots in the soil of southeastern Pennsylvania. Her background includes landscape and floral design, a BS in business from Villanova University, and a Certificate of Merit in floral design from Longwood Gardens.

Are you referring to broccoli leaves, Suzie? Yes, they are edible! Good luck with your vegetable garden. Yes, after harvesting times, broccoli plants will usually slow down and eventually stop producing heads. I have researched how to do it. After bolting, broccoli begins to set seed. After the flowers finish, the seed pods form. Pull up the entire plant and hang it upside down over a paper bag. When the pods are brown and dry, crush them between your fingers over the bag to release the tiny seeds.

Separate the seeds from the chaff and store the seeds in an airtight container. Next season, you may soak the seeds overnight before planting, to jump start germination, but it is not required. Are you a broccoli lover? Then it might be time to try growing your own! Here are two to whet your appetite: Marathon Hybrid This type has robust green heads with a uniform dome shape, and a root system that is noteworthy for its strength. Harlow Carr North Yorkshire. Hyde Hall Essex. Rosemoor Devon.

Wisley Surrey. Bridgewater Greater Manchester. Environmentally friendly gardening. Plant health. Take part in our research. Meet the team. Shop plants rhsplants. Shopping with the RHS. RHS Christmas gifts. Help us achieve our goals Make a donation. Join the RHS today and support our charity Join now. Save to My scrapbook. Jobs to do now.