Broccoli is a winter crop favorite, but it can also be grown early on in the fall with great success. At first Broccoli can be a slow grower, which makes it a perfect candidate for starting indoors in mid-summer.
Sowing Broccoli Seeds
August is the perfect time to sow Broccoli seeds indoors. Broccoli seeds are tiny and can be sown in just about any sterile soil. They require consistent moisture and temperature. The seeds will germinate in 5-10 days.
Transplanting Broccoli
Once the high heats of the summer pass Broccoli can be transplanted outside. Broccoli is a heavy feeder and because of this they require a rich, well-drained soil. A natural local soil that has been amended with heavy compost and manure works very well.
The plants will appreciate a bit of shade during the hottest part of the day, so select a location that will allow the plant to get some relief from the heat.
Broccoli Care
Once transplanted allow the plant a week to establish itself. Once established Broccoli will grow faster and more vigorously if provided a well balanced fertilizer. A weekly spray of kelp meal (or similar fertilizer) will encourage healthier plants and a better harvest.
Harvesting Broccoli
Broccoli will develop a single large head in the center of the plant. The buds that make up the head will begin to swell, this is the first sign that the flowers are going to open. This head should be harvested once the first hint of blossoming shows up.
The main head is not the only harvest a Broccoli plant offers. Side shoots will begin to develop once the main head is harvested. This side shoots will continue to develop late into the winter.
Tips
- Mulch around the plant to maintain a consistent moisture level.
- Continue to harvest side shoots until they are too small to justify the effort.
- Once all broccoli has been harvested, a shredded plant adds many nutrients to a compost pile
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