How to grow Broccoli

Learn how to grow Broccoli with this handy guide. Find out the sun requirements, spacing, planting, feeding, and harvesting tips for this delicious vegetable!

Broccoli plants require rich, deep soil, firm with plenty of well rotted compost mixed in. 

Plant Broccoli in a full sun position.

While Broccoli plants will tolerate partial sun, it will affect the size and growth of the broccoli head.  

Yes, Broccoli plants are frost tolerant. 

Plant Broccoli around 45-50cm apart. 

Broccoli is a cool season crop that is usually planted in autumn, depending on your climate. 

Seeds can be sown indoors in late summer and transplanted in autumn. Seeds can also be direct sown in autumn. 

If transplanting, plant out in the early morning or evening and/or on an overcast day. Avoid planting at peak sun times or on windy days, this will allow your plants to settle in comfortably and protect them from windburn and sunburn. 

Feed your Broccoli plants with a regular application of organic fertiliser throughout the season. 

Harvest the Broccoli by cutting off the large central head while it is still compact. If left too long it will start to separate and then flower.

After the central head of Broccoli has been harvested, smaller side shoots will soon appear, you can harvest these shoots throughout the season.  

Pests that can affect Broccoli plants include: Aphids, Slug, Snail, Cabbage Moth, Cabbage White Butterfly, Diamondback Moth, Flea Beetle, Cabbage Worm, Thrips, Root Knot Nematode, Cabbage Looper, 28 Spotted Ladybug. 

Diseases that can affect Broccoli plants include: Alternaria Leaf Spot, Brassica Black Rot, Club Root, Downy Mildew, Sclerotinia Stem Rot, White Rust, Black Leg, Damping- off. 

Protect young Broccoli seedlings from pests at the time of planting.

Regularly check the undersides of leaves for eggs, or use fine mesh/exclusion netting to prevent white butterflies laying eggs on the underside of leaves, caterpillars can be detrimental to this plant.