The Gardeners Almanac

The place to find out what to do in the garden this week
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Broccoli


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Week Numbers

Aphids

Caterpillar

Coldframe

Compost

Downy Mildew

Fertiliser

Harden Off

Heating

Lime

Planting out

Pricking out

Seed Sowing

Soil preparation

Watering

Whitefly

Overview:

Broccoli and Calabrese are different varieties of the same vegetable.

Growing them both is an ideal way to extend the cropping season.


The name Broccoli is generally reserved for sprouting varieties which when cut will sprout again, which gives rise to its name broccoli which is Italian for little sprouts.


In general terms, the differences are:


Cultivation:

Circa Week 22-25:

Seedlings in 7cm square pots

Pricked out Seedlings

Cell tray of seedlings

Germinated Seedlings

Sow seeds of spring cropping Purple and White varieties in pots or cell trays of seed compost and germinate at a temperature of 13°C (55°F).

Germination should take around five or six days.


Week 27:

When the seedlings show their first pair of true leaves, prick them out into 75mm (3") pots of potting compost and grow on at the same temperature, in a light position.

Move plants into coldframe to harden off a couple of days after pricking out.


Plants surrounded with a sprinkling of lime

Planted out Seedlings
Week 31-33:

Plant out in full sun or partial shade 500mm (18") apart each way.

Prior to planting out top dress the area with bonemeal at a rate of 75 gm (3oz) per sq metre.

Bonemeal is more suited than Fish blood and bone as it has a lower nitrogen content.

Nitrogen is better applied in spring.


Week 12:

( The following year) Remove discoloured foliage and hoe around the plants.

Purple heads ready for harvesting

Spears ready for harvesting

Bird nets removed to allow access

Over wintered plants

Boost growth by hoeing in either sulphate of ammonia or nitro-chalk at a rate of 1oz (30g) per sq m.

Alternatively; use 3oz (90g) per sq m of growmore or similar.


Week 13 >:

Begin to harvest before the yellow flowers open.

Pick the heads/spears regularly to encourage the formation of more side-shoots.


Spears ready for harvesting

Pests & Disease:

Pest and diseases are the same as any other member of the brassica family so always be vigilant for them, and treat them accordingly.

The most common are; Aphids, Cabbage root fly, Caterpillars, Clubroot, and Downy Mildew.

It is recommended that the plants are covered with nets, particularly in spring.

At this time of year they are an ideal food source for pigeons, rabbits and deer when there is very little else about for them to eat.