In a salad, as a soup or as a vegetable – broccoli is always delicious. In addition, it is low in calories and rich in minerals and vitamin C. Not only the florets but also the leaves and stems are edible. So let’s get started growing broccoli in the garden or on the balcony – that’s how it works perfectly.
How can I grow broccoli successfully?
To grow broccoli successfully, choose a sunny, wind-protected location, add lime and compost, sow in spring, fertilize organically and cut off the main shoots during harvest. Protect plants from pests with nets and intercropping.
Optimal location and ideal planting time
If the location is sunny and sheltered from the wind, broccoli plants are easy to grow and harvest per year compared to other vegetables. For this you need more lime. Too little lime reduces the harvest and weakens the plants. It is best to incorporate plenty of algae lime (€28.00 on Amazon) and compost into the soil before sowing or growing and, if necessary, add an additional dose of lime directly into the planting hole. The green vegetables thrive particularly well in neutral soil with a pH value of 6.0 to 7.0.
If you choose early broccoli varieties, you should plant them in a seed tray on the windowsill in March. From May onwards, grow the young seedlings outdoors or in a greenhouse. Sow late varieties directly outdoors from the end of April at a planting distance of 50 centimeters.
Fertilizing broccoli – this is what you should keep in mind
Broccoli plants are heavy feeders and need organic fertilizer such as manure or compost. After the first fertilization, three or four doses of nitrogen are enough to promote growth. 4 weeks before the first harvest you should avoid fertilizing because of the formation of nitrates. Regular watering prevents growth from stopping in dry conditions. Mulching with organic material such as nettle leaves is doubly worthwhile as it stores soil moisture and at the same time supplies the plants with nitrogen. Additional hoeing between rows activates growth.
Proper cutting enables multiple harvests
After 14 to 15 weeks, the broccoli is fully grown and the middle flower has formed, but is still closed. To harvest broccoli several times, first cut off only the fully formed main shoots with flower buds at a height of 15 centimeters. In 3 to 4 weeks, the secondary shoots underneath will grow back and can be harvested.
The best protection against diseases and vermin
Like all types of cabbage, broccoli is also attacked by the cabbage white butterfly. A butterfly laying its eggs on the underside of broccoli leaves. A net protects against this and effectively prevents the butterfly larvae from eating the leaves. Otherwise, mixed culture and the use of plant-strengthening compost and rock dust prevent pests and diseases.
Overwinter broccoli properly
Broccoli plants like it sunny and warm. Nevertheless, you can easily overwinter them outside. It is important to protect the plants with a wooden frame. In sub-zero temperatures, simply put a fleece or tarpaulin over the frame - done. In the spring, remove the tarpaulin and leave the broccoli standing or move it. To do this, pull out the entire plant with roots and plant it in a bed prepared with compost.
Tips & Tricks
Do not cook broccoli otherwise valuable ingredients will be lost! The gentle preparation in the steamer preserves vitamins, minerals and nutrients.
