Broccoli Growing Guide

Broccoli is also knows as little sprouts in Italy. With its looks broccoli is basically a part of the cabbage family with other members being the cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbages, turnips etc.

SOIL PREPRATION

You don’t need any special form of soil or location to grow broccoli. All it needs is the sunlight with some shadow shades of clouds. But don’t grow broccoli under a closed compound. Use a little heavy soil which is not purely clay and has been well dug. This kind of soil is generally full of nutrients whereas a light soil can also be used in a mix to increase or add additional nutrients using bonomeal and fertilizers. You can also add more bonomeal to the heavy soil which is not so rich in nutrients. As with other vegetables as well, avoid growing broccoli in low lying areas which at a later stage might become water-logged because broccoli and its other varieties would be staying over ground and not under. On the other hand make sure that you don’t grow broccoli in those areas which have been used before for turnip, cauliflower, cabbage etc as it could very well result into a broccoli flower with cabbage root or club root.

SOWING AND PLANTING

Even though broccoli has different varieties, procedures for sowing the seeds are almost same for all of them. The only thing that differs is the time and season of their growth. For example, the Green broccoli is best grown during May in open and then in April under the cover. Sow broccoli seeds around 7 cm deep underground and around 60 cm apart. This is necessary as the broccoli can grow large and may interfere with each others growth. Once the seedlings starts to form, try to cut them or thin them around 22 cm apart for the growth to continue further. Unlike many others broccoli transplants very well and grows in any seed bed to get to their final position. If you would like to take broccoli corps atleast 3 to 4 weeks earlier, the poly tunnel technique can be used. The poly tunnel is placed well into position at-least 2 weeks before sowing broccoli seeds.

LOOKING AFTER THE PLANTS

Broccoli plants are easy to handle with the sandy soil and correct water levels. Watering becomes even more important when the broccoli heads starts to form and a green garden like composite starts to appear around the plants. If you don’t happen to find any garden compost, you can cover the surroundings soil with some form of weed control fabric. This will help the plant in growing.

WHEN TO HARVEST

It is always good to harvest broccoli before you find the flowers opening up slowly. Make sure you pick the broccoli regularly to check on their taste and development. You should take the knife and cut broccoli around half way until the stalk. Broccoli can be easily kept in fridge for like a week before it starts to diminish in its texture and taste.

Rohit Maini is a freelance writer and owner of http://www.Sychowriter.info and http://www.SEOonlinePromotions.com Have written many articles project on Britian History and Technology realted stuff. Writing is a passion and a part time hobby that make the mind revolve around latest happenings.
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