Broccoli is rich in nutrients and worth growing in your gardens. It is a great source of Vitamin-A, folic acid, potassium, fiber, and iron. It is so nutritious that it is also referred to as “Crown Jewel Of Nutrition”. In this guide, we will tell you how to grow broccoli at home - from sowing seeds, growing to harvest.

Best Time To Grow Broccoli in India

Broccoli is a cool-season vegetable. Therefore, it should be planted in cooler months of the year for the best result. The growth of the broccoli plant will get affected by the high-temperature of the summer months. The perfect time to grow broccoli in India is around September-November. 

You can start by growing your broccoli seeds indoors in midsummers and plant in its final location after the seedlings are about six inches tall.

Where To Grow Broccoli

Broccoli needs a sunny spot with partial shade to grow. A site that receives 5-7 hours of sunlight is a perfect spot to pick. Plant your broccoli seeds in soil that is fertile, moist, and drains well. To boost the growth of your plant, work on a thin layer of manure or 2-4 inches of manure before planting your seeds. 

Learn how to prepare Organic Fertilizer At Home.

How To Plant Broccoli

• Broccoli needs well-fertilized soil to grow properly. 

• When you are using the direct-sowing method, plant your broccoli seeds about ¼ to ½ inch deep and 12-20 inches apart from each other. 

• It is necessary to keep distance between two broccoli plants as they can grow up to 3 feet in height. 

• Broccoli plants need their space to grow well as they are heavy feeders. Planting them close will hamper their growth. Keep a distance of 3 feet between the rows of broccoli plants. 

• Water your plant 2 times a week to keep it hydrated. The water should be poured on the roots of the plant and not the head, it might encourage flowering.

Harvesting Broccoli

It can be tricky to decide when to start picking green vegetables for first-time growers. Broccoli gets ready to land on your plates when their heads get formed. The harvesting period also depends on the variety of broccoli you are growing, they’re usually ready when the diameter of the broccoli reaches around 4-7 inches. The best time to harvest is early in the morning when the head of broccoli is firm and tight. 

Cut the broccoli heads from the plant, taking about 6 inches of stem. Most broccoli plants allow you to enjoy multiple harvests. If you see yellow petals growing on your plant, harvest it immediately as the quality of the produce will keep decreasing. 

In about 50-60 days of planting, you’ll be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Tips For Growing Broccoli

• Fertilizers: Broccoli needs a lot of nutritional boosts to grow as a fast-growing plant. Your plant will benefit from a monthly dosage of rich manure or tea compost 

• Watering: Like other greens, broccoli needs to be well hydrated. Water the roots of the plant deeply, about an inch-deep per week. 

• Temperature: The ideal temperature for growing broccoli is between 18-22°C (65-70°F). 

• Sunlight: Broccoli, like other brassicas, requires full sun for 5-6 hours to produce a good yield. However, as the soil temperatures rise, the plant may start bolting at some point.

• Diseases & Pests: Broccoli isn’t prone to many diseases but do keep an eye out for aphids and cabbage fly. 

Now that you’re all set to get your hands dirty and grow this nutritional vegetable, grab your high-quality heirloom seeds from AllThatGrows and get started.