Broccoli Seeds
How to Grow Broccoli
You either love it or you don't. But lately, even people who are in the "don't" group have found a good reason to like it. Recent research has shown that broccoli contains large amounts of sulforaphane, a compound that can help preventing some types of cancer. Broccoli is a heavy user of nitrogen, so choose a spot where autumn leaves were added the previous fall. Don't start broccoli too early; large or root bound transplants may produce a tiny broccoli head or "button". Discard these plants; as they will NOT produce well. Long exposure to cold will also produce buttoning. Harvest when the head is dark green and fully formed; the buds should also be tight. Any hint of yellow color is the buds is a sign that the head is overripe. Harvest by cutting the head free of the stalk with a knife. More, smaller heads will soon form as side shoots. Harvest these every few days, to keep more forming. Varieties such as Premium Crop and Packman produce abundant side shoots.
Sowing
Seed Depth: ¼" (6mm)
Germination soil temperature: 80º F (27ºC)
Days to Germination: 4-7
Sow indoors: 6-8 weeks before last frost
Sow outdoors: Early summer for fall crop
Growing
pH range: 6.5-7.5
Growing soil temperature: 60-65º F (16-18ºC)
Spacing in beds: 16" (40cm), staggered pattern, 3 rows to a wide (36"; 0.9m) bed.
Watering: Moderate and even
Light: Full sun for best yield, tolerates partial shade.
Nutrient requirements: N=moderate to high, P=high, K=high
Rotation considerations: Avoid following cabbage family
Good Companions: Bush beans, beet, carrot, celery, shard, cucumber, dill, lettuce, mint, nasturtium, onion family, oregano, potato, rosemary, sage, spinach, tomato.
Bad Companions: Pole and snap beans, strawberry.
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