Broccoli

Botanical name: Brassica oleracea var. italica
Broccoli is an annual cool season crop and frost hardy. It is vigorous and easy to grow in full sun but dislikes shade. Seed germinates best at 18 – 23°C soil temperature and takes 5 – 10 days. Sow 6 mm deep into a seed tray or seedbed and transplant seedlings deeper, first removing the seed leaves and planting up to the 1st set of true leaves, this stabilizes the plant and speeds its maturity. Space plants 40 cm apart with rows 60 cm apart. Broccoli likes a rich, well-drained soil with a pH 6.5 – 7.2. It is a heavy feeder, prepare the soil by adding compost. Keep soil moist; add organic fertiliser early and mid-season. Harvest while heads are still tight and dark green for the best flavour.
Sow When:
Temperate areas: from late December – May; in very cold areas sow in early spring and again from October – February.
Subtropical areas: Late autumn to early winter; heirloom open-pollinated cultivars are unlikely to do well; hybrids such as ‘Green Magic’ are a better choice. In Brisbane and further north seedlings should be transplanted after March, as March is the worst month for caterpillars.
Tropical areas: Unlikely to produce well.