Growing broccoli seeds has so many benefits according to many studies; it has even been proven to be more effective than modern antibiotics and has cancer fighting properties. It is rich in Vitamins C, K and A and generates roughly 10% of your daily protein and calcium, ideal for those who love a healthy lifestyle. What’s more broccoli is simple to grow and you can see results in a matter of weeks.
Broccoli, part of the cabbage family is a cool-weather crop that performs best when exposed to an average temperature between 18 and 23 degree Celsius. When the head of the crop flowers, you will need to cut it approximately an inch from the tip, but make sure to cultivate it before the flower blooms a bright yellow.
Growing your broccoli
- When choosing your site to plant your broccoli choose a sunny spot where the soil has been manured the previous autumn. Once you have prepared the soil allow it to settle prior to planting.
- Purple and white sprouting varieties of broccoli are great to plant in September and should be planting approximately 65-75cm apart, burying any stretched stems and gently firming the soil around the roots well with your fingers.
- Take precautions against birds, slugs and snails immediately after planting, it is a very good idea to use netting over your plants to protect them against cabbage white butterflies.
- Water them well and continue to maintain watering well in dry spells. It is also a great idea to consider applying a mulch of well-rotted organic matter to improve growth.
- On exposed sites, broccoli is likely to become top heavy, so stake each plant with a strong cane if necessary and earth up around the base. However remember to firm with the heel to prevent root damage that can be caused by wind rock.
- Side shoots grow (10-15cm(4-6") long), you will want to pick them regularly.
- Remove weeds as they appear to prevent them from competing with the broccoli plants, which can also cause diseases and encourage pests. Pests will become less of a problem once the plant is established in your plot.
- A great guide to planting broccoli with recipes can be found on Notcutts blog.
When the head or ‘spears’ are formed well and the flowers buds have not yet opened, it is time to harvest your first lot of broccoli crop. It is extremely important to harvest your crops before the flowers bloom as the broccoli will retain its taste and all their nutritional values.