Organic in the Garden - How to Grow Broccoli
Broccoli is a very nutritious vegetable and ideal for growing in the home garden.
It needs plenty of nutrients towards the middle of its growing cycle.
Organic mulches and fertilising practices will help prevent nutrient drain and will assist with maintaining moisture.
Broccoli is a member of the Brassicaceae family.
Broccoli belongs to the same family as cabbage, Brussels sprouts and turnip.
Broccoli likes a soil typical of most other Brassica's.
A soil that allows good drainage and is rich in organic matter id ideal.
Like cabbages, Broccoli grows best in cooler weather.
It is typically planted as an autumn or winter vegetable but can be grown during summer in cooler areas.
Crop rotation is essential in all organic gardening practices, especially so with Broccoli.
Lots of organic composts, manure and lawn clippings should be dug into the garden bed before planting.
Seeds are best sown undercover a few weeks prior to planting out.
While your waiting for the seeds to germinate and reach a couple of inches in height (50 - 75mm) you can gradually prepare the bed they will be planted in.
When planting out maintain a gap of around 45 - 60 cm between plants to allow for spreading and an even sharing of nutrients.
Plants can be put a little closer but more fertiliser should be added to accommodate for the extra drain on the soil.
Plants will be ready to plant out when they have 3 or 4 true leaves.
I always mulch my vegetable garden.
It preserves moisture and it adds extra nutrients as it breaks down.
A mixture of manure, rotten grass hay or lawn clippings is ideal organic mulch on vegetables.
Grass clippings should be pre composted for a few weeks to eliminate any heat.
Keep the mulch away from the plants to prevent any rot of the stalk or leaves.
Broccoli can be fertilised with liquid chicken manure.
Chicken manure should always be well rotten before using.
Always add liquid animal manure to the ground not over the vegetable, especially leafy heart forming vegetables as it can trap bacteria as the plant grows.
"Pea straw tea" can be made by soaking pea straw in a large bucket of water for two or 3 weeks this tea can be poured around the plants for a tonic and feed.
The straw can also be used around the plants as extra mulch The larva of the white cabbage moth is the biggest concern with broccoli.
Companion planting with Dill, Chamomile and Onion.
Dill will attract wasps, which will control the larva.
Garlic spray may also assist in controlling the moth larva.
The broccoli head is a collection of flower heads that haven't opened.
It should be picked before the yellow flowers appear.
It needs plenty of nutrients towards the middle of its growing cycle.
Organic mulches and fertilising practices will help prevent nutrient drain and will assist with maintaining moisture.
Broccoli is a member of the Brassicaceae family.
Broccoli belongs to the same family as cabbage, Brussels sprouts and turnip.
Broccoli likes a soil typical of most other Brassica's.
A soil that allows good drainage and is rich in organic matter id ideal.
Like cabbages, Broccoli grows best in cooler weather.
It is typically planted as an autumn or winter vegetable but can be grown during summer in cooler areas.
Crop rotation is essential in all organic gardening practices, especially so with Broccoli.
Lots of organic composts, manure and lawn clippings should be dug into the garden bed before planting.
Seeds are best sown undercover a few weeks prior to planting out.
While your waiting for the seeds to germinate and reach a couple of inches in height (50 - 75mm) you can gradually prepare the bed they will be planted in.
When planting out maintain a gap of around 45 - 60 cm between plants to allow for spreading and an even sharing of nutrients.
Plants can be put a little closer but more fertiliser should be added to accommodate for the extra drain on the soil.
Plants will be ready to plant out when they have 3 or 4 true leaves.
I always mulch my vegetable garden.
It preserves moisture and it adds extra nutrients as it breaks down.
A mixture of manure, rotten grass hay or lawn clippings is ideal organic mulch on vegetables.
Grass clippings should be pre composted for a few weeks to eliminate any heat.
Keep the mulch away from the plants to prevent any rot of the stalk or leaves.
Broccoli can be fertilised with liquid chicken manure.
Chicken manure should always be well rotten before using.
Always add liquid animal manure to the ground not over the vegetable, especially leafy heart forming vegetables as it can trap bacteria as the plant grows.
"Pea straw tea" can be made by soaking pea straw in a large bucket of water for two or 3 weeks this tea can be poured around the plants for a tonic and feed.
The straw can also be used around the plants as extra mulch The larva of the white cabbage moth is the biggest concern with broccoli.
Companion planting with Dill, Chamomile and Onion.
Dill will attract wasps, which will control the larva.
Garlic spray may also assist in controlling the moth larva.
The broccoli head is a collection of flower heads that haven't opened.
It should be picked before the yellow flowers appear.
