When we hear broccoli, we think of green heads and florets. But depending on the variety, it can also be purple or yellow in color. No matter what type of broccoli or color – sowing and growing broccoli requires a green thumb.
How can I sow broccoli myself?
To sow broccoli yourself, you need germinable broccoli seeds, growing soil or substrate, sowing trays or growing pots, a mini watering can or spray bottle, and a mini greenhouse or foil. Early varieties are sown from March, late varieties from the end of April.
The right seeds
- Broccoli Calabrese – the well-known green broccoli. It tastes excellent, is high-yielding and produces numerous side shoots. Cultivation takes place from March to June. Harvest time is between June and September.
- Broccoli Marathon – has blue-green, firm and fine-budded heads. It is one of the medium-late, mildew-resistant varieties. Sowing is from April to June and harvesting is from July to October.
- Broccoli Purple Sprouting – is a winter perennial variety. It is sown in July and overwinteres outdoors. The following year it can be harvested from March to April.
Sowing and growing broccoli at the right time
Early varieties can be grown in a seed tray on a sunny windowsill from March. From mid-May the seedlings can be placed in the bed or on the balcony. Late varieties can be sown directly outdoors from the end of April. Before sowing, cover the soil with loosened and sifted and well-rotted garden compost. Then sow the broccoli seeds 1 centimeter deep in seed grooves and cover thinly with sifted potting soil. Spray the bed regularly with lukewarm rainwater.
Mid-May to the end of July, when the broccoli plants are 10 centimeters high and have four leaves, they are planted 50 centimeters apart in their final location. You can test whether the young plants are firmly planted in the soil enough by gently pulling on the upper leaves.
What do you need to grow broccoli yourself?
- Sowing trays or growing pots
- Growing soil or substrate
- germinable broccoli seeds
- Mini watering can or spray bottle
- Mini greenhouse or foil
The best start for growing broccoli
You can use yogurt cups or pots made of peat or egg cartons. Compostable containers are particularly practical because the young plants can be planted directly later without damaging the roots. Special sowing soil is suitable for filling the vessels (€6.00 on Amazon). This is finer crumbly and lower in nutrients than potting soil and activates root growth.
Tips & Tricks
Sort out seedlings that are weak or malformed. They are not suitable for cultivation. Place powerful young plants outdoors for a few hours longer each day to harden off.
