Broccoli

Nutritious and delicious, broccoli is a must grow in your vegie patch! This one little plant gives so much back - the heads, stems and tender leaves can all be cooked or thrown raw into your salads, giving you a variety of textures and flavours. It used to be regarded as a winter only vegetable, but newer varieties mean broccoli can now be grown all year round. Broccoli seed can be sown from summer to autumn in all but the coldest districts. In cold areas, it’s better to start broccoli seeds in late spring or early summer so that the plants are well on their way before winter arrives.

Full sun

Regular watering

Well drained

Suitable for all climatic zones.

8-20 weeks depending on the variety

Certain varieties can be planted anytime of the year

How to grow broccoli in a garden

In a sunny spot, fill pots or trays with Yates Seed Raising Mix and sow seeds. Firm down and water regularly to keep soil moist. Allow seedlings to grow to about 7cm h before transplanting.
Once seedlings have emerged, feed with Yates Thrive Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food.
Prepare the planting area by adding Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser to activate the soil microbes. Transplant seedlings and water in well with Yates Thrive Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food.
Broccoli is susceptible to a soil-borne problem called club root, which causes the plants to wilt rapidly on hot days. To help avoid this problem, make sure you plant broccoli into a different bed or area each year – don’t go back to the same bed for at least three years.

How to grow broccoli in a pot

In a sunny spot, fill pots or trays with Yates Seed Raising Mix and sow seeds. Firm down and water regularly to keep soil moist. Allow seedlings to grow to about 7cm before transplanting.
Broccoli can grow quite large, so ensure it has enough space to grow by selecting a pot that is at least 50cm diameter. Fill with Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter. Transplant seedlings, backfill with potting mix and water in well with Yates Thrive Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food.
Feed weekly with Yates Thrive Vegie & Herb Liquid Plant Food.

Yates varieties

Growing tips

Broccoli grows relatively slowly in the cooler months and is usually ready for harvest in 16 – 20 weeks. Cut the large central head when the buds are well formed, but before the flowers start to open. Removing this central head will encourage smaller side shoots to form. They’ll be ready for a second picking in a few weeks time.
The interesting Chinese broccoli called ‘Kailaan’ forms a looser, lighter head that is usually harvested when a few of the flowers have opened.
A layer of mulch will retain moisture in the soil.