Broccoli likes steady moisture to grow fast and produce good heads, so water regularly, applying 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week if rain doesn't cover it. You can measure the amount of water with a rain gauge left in the garden.
Broccoli's optimum growing conditions include a location with well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5 and at least six hours of sun. Soil test your location several weeks prior to your planting date to adjust and apply amendments accordingly. Avoid soils that are sandy or hold too much moisture.
If your cool season falls during the short days of winter, this makes meeting broccoli's ideal growing conditions difficult. Winter sun is very different from summer sun, and spaces that receive lots of summer sun all day long might struggle for enough winter sun.
The soil should be loose, just moist, and about neutral pH. I use a 5-10-10 N-P-K fertilizer, broccoli requiring more phosphorus and potassium than nitrogen.
A head of broccoli is considered the main stem and branch. Each plant produces just one head. Once the large central head is harvested, florets continue to emerge from leafstalks. Much smaller, these also are edible.
Broccoli heads will be dark green and semi-solid when they are ready to be harvested. If they start developing yellow flowers, you have waited too long. Will broccoli grow back after cutting? Depending on the variety, broccoli will grow back after the central head is cut.
Magnesium deficiency is a problem on broccoli leaves during cool, wet periods and is characterized by interveinal chlorosis (yellowing between leaf veins) on older leaves. Correct this deficiency by spraying Epsom salts mixed at two tablespoons per gallon of water directly onto the plant.
Keep soil moist by giving broccoli plants 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week.
Feed and Weed
A month after planting, fertilize growing broccoli plants with Miracle-Gro® Performance Organic® Edibles Plant Nutrition Granules, which supports both soil and plants, and feeds continuously for up to 6 weeks.
As well, weather too chilly in spring–just three or four days below 50°F–will cause broccoli to form button-like flower heads that will never develop. Do not plant out broccoli until the weather is settled. For a fall crop, sow broccoli in the garden 10 to 12 weeks before the average first frost in fall.
Broccoli is a cool-season crop, so it should be started in early- to mid-spring (depending on your climate) for an early summer crop or in mid- to late summer for a fall crop.
Broccoli, another vegetable in the brassica family, isn't a good choice for planting alongside tomatoes. That's because tomatoes are notoriously hungry for nutrients, and broccoli will compete for the same selection of nutrients in the soil.
Broccoli grows best in a spot with full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days. However, in very hot climates, partial shade from afternoon sun might be necessary to prevent bolting, or the plant flowering and going to seed.
Can you eat broccoli leaves? Yes! In fact, using broccoli leaves just as you would any other greens, like kale or spinach, is a great way to perk up salads and other dishes. The possibilities are endless.
Adding organic matter (compost, peat moss, manure, sawdust, ground bark) makes clay and sandy soils easier to work with. The soil should be kept at a pH level of 6.0 to 6.5.
Since broccoli plants like moist soil, adding coffee grounds is a great way to spread water and naturally hydrate the plant. Coffee grounds can retain moisture when added to the soil and improve soil drainage as it breaks down. Since coffee grounds loosen the soil, it makes it easier for broccoli to absorb water.
Prevent Fungal Disease
MAKE IT: Mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 2-3 drops of liquid soap in 1 liter of water. Spray the solution on the infected plants. Baking soda helps the plants become less acidic and prevents fungal growth.
Epsom salt can help you refresh and revitalize an established garden or create a healthy beginning for a new one. Ultra Epsom Salt does not accumulate in the soil or harm any plants when used, so it can be used safely and effectively during any stage of the plant's life.
I cut ¼ inch off the stems, put the heads in jars of warm (yes warm water opens up the cells for intake) and put it in my fridge overnight. When I checked it the next morning it was perfectly firm, plump and stunning. You can do the same with herbs, lettuces, hardy greens, etc.
The long days and hot temperatures of summer can cause cauliflower curds to turn reddish purple and the leaves will grow through the head. When broccoli is exposed to these conditions it quickly forms flowers and seeds.
Temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) for more than four days during that period causes uneven bud development at the bud initiation stage, resulting in heads that were uneven and poorly shaped. Other references suggest that temperatures above 85 degrees can cause heat injury.