Planting Information > How to Grow > Broccoli

Julie Hancock tells how to grow the best...Broccoli

How to buy

Broccoli is one of the most delicious and nutritious vegetables on the menu. It is rich in Vitamin C, protein, fibre and flavour and has many culinary uses. It has a long growing season which can be extended with staggered plantings.

Broccoli is an annual which can be purchased as seed which takes between six and ton days to germinate, or seedlings which mature within eight to ten weeks after planting depending on the climate and variety.

Where to plant

To produce the most succulent broccoli it is important to grow it in light soil which is rich and moist. Dig over the soil well so it is loose to a depth on 250mm, and incorporate a generous quantity of animal manure as you are working the bed.

Like most leaf vegetables, broccoli prefers an alkaline environment, so those soils which are more acid than a pH of 6.5 should be sweetened with lime at the suggested application rate. Dig the lime in well, water the entire bed and leave to settle for at least a week before planting.

Broccoli dislikes being waterlogged, so good drainage is required. As it is a cold season crop, plant it in a site where it will receive plenty of sun as the days get shorter with the onset of winter.

How to plant

Seeds can be sown in individual cell-pack punnets or directly into the soil in which they are to grow. When sowing into punnets bear in mind that one plant will produce a large crop and ten plants should suffice the needs of an average family, so save left over seeds for sowing later in the season. Seeds should be sown in punnets to a depth of 6 min and covered lightly with seed raising mix or sand and vermiculite. Once the seedlings have grown to a height of 10 em they may be carefully transplanted into a prepared bed. Cheek that each seedling has a central bud or growing tip and discard any 'blind' plants.

If you are sowing seed direct, draw a drill with the tip of the hoe. If the soil is dry, water well before positioning the seed at a depth of 1.5 cm and approximately 50 cm apart. To ensure growing only the best plants, sow seeds in groups of three and thin out the two weakest seedlings. Cover the row of seeds by gently replacing the soil from either side of the drill and water well with a fine spray.

How to Maintain

Keep the soil between the broccoli plants free from weeds by hoeing lightly or removing by hand if the infestation is minimal. Once a fortnight, feed the plants with Organic Xtra diluted (1/4 of a cup in a bucket of water), to keep them producing healthy new growth.

Broccoli should be harvested before the compactness of the head is broken by the leafy points bristling through it. Cut the head taking (approximately 10 cm of stalk and a few leaves with it). Where the primary head has been removed, another pair of heads will sprout and although these will be smaller than the first head, they will be more tender.

Pests and Diseases

Of all the Brassica family, which includes Brussels sprouts, cabbages and cauliflowers, broccoli is the most resistant to insect attack. Its main enemy is the cabbage white butterfly whose caterpillars are the exact same colour as the broccoli stalk and very difficult to detect within the broccoli head as it is growing. Companion planting with dill and other herbs disguises the broccoli and distracts the butterflies. If the infestation is heavy, apply derris dust in dry weather. Keep a vigilant eye out for caterpillars as you are separating out the florets for the saucepan. If aphids appear on the growing tips of young plants, wash them off with a hose.

Bonus Points

Recent scientific research suggests that substances contained within broccoli may be important in preventing cancer. "From about the garden"

Eat your Broccoli ..It is good for you!

US researchers have discovered that broccoli and broccoli sprouts contain a chemical which kills the bacteria responsible for most stomach cancer.

In laboratory tests at the John Hopkins University school of Medicine it was found the chemical sulforaphane killed hielicobacter pylon which causes stomach ulcers and often fatal stomach cancers.

There appears to be enough sulforaphane in a regular serve of sprouts or broccoli to benefit those whom eat the vegetable.

The studies concentrate on mice and will now be used with humans.

This article appeared in the June 2002 issue of Fruit and Vegetable news.

Broccoli Pasta (serves 6)

1 kg broccoli
4 rashers of bacon, finely sliced
1/2 teaspoon tarragon
2 cloves crushed garlic
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1/2 teaspoon basil
2 onions, peeled diced
1 stock cube dissolved in 1/2 cup of water
1/2 cup grated cheese
1/2 cup of thickened cream
1/4 cup of low-fat yoghurt
2 tablespoons parmesan
375g egg noodles or fettuccine, cooked and rinsed

Wash broccoli, cut into small sprigs and boil or steam until just tender. Drain and set aside

In a frypan cook bacon until cooked but not crisp. Add garlic, ginger and onions, Cook gently for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add stock and herbs and cook another 2 minutes or until liquid has evaporated. Reduce heat to low, add cream, yoghurt and cheeses and stir until cheese has melted.

Add broccoli and pasta and toss through sauce until coated.

Another idea:

Sprinkle freshly steamed broccoli with lemon juice and black pepper and garnish with thin strips of red capsicum. Qld fruit and vegetable growers.