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Tips for growing broccoli in a raised bed or container vegetable garden.

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This post is about how to grow broccoli in a home vegetable garden—either in containers or in raised beds—plus easy tips on how to use fresh broccoli in recipes.

Broccoli is a cool season crop that grows best in early spring or fall gardens. Here are some tips for growing broccoli in a home vegetable garden.

Homegrown broccoli tastes fresh, sweet, and delicious, freezes well, and can be used to make an incredible broccoli cheddar soup or a sweet and savory broccoli salad.

Broccoli can be easy to grow, and it grows well in raised bed gardens and in pots or container gardens, too.

How to Grow Broccoli

Here are some tips for how to grow broccoli in a home garden.

1–Pick the right season.

Broccoli grows best in cooler weather, preferring temperatures of 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In many places, this means that the best time to grow broccoli is during spring or fall.

2–Start seeds early.

Plan to allow 6 to 8 weeks for broccoli seedlings to grow to a large size before planting them outside or in a raised bed garden. You may be able to start broccoli seeds in a shady spot outside in mid-July for a fall harvest.

Start broccoli seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date in your area for a spring harvest.

3–Choose the right spot.

Broccoli plants rely on full sun to grow. Provide 6 to 8 hours of full sun for broccoli to thrive. Plant broccoli plants in moist, loose, well draining soil with pH 6.0 to 7.0.

4–Transplant broccoli seedlings at the right time.

Transplant broccoli seedlings to the raised bed garden or to a container or pot once the seedlings are 4 to 6-in. tall or have 2 to 3 sets of true leaves. Water the seedlings in gently, but deeply.

5–Give your broccoli plants space.

Allow 12 to 18 inches space between each broccoli plants, giving the large leaves room to spread out. If growing broccoli plants in a container or pot, allow at least one 5-gallon pot per plant.

6–Water the plants.

Provide broccoli plants with 1 to 2 inches of water each week. Avoid watering broccoli heads as they develop.

7–Fertilize the broccoli.

Fertilize broccoli plants with a tomato and vegetable fertilizer or a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer for vegetables.

8–Harvest mature broccoli.

Most broccoli varieties are ready to harvest about 48 to 95 days from planting out seedlings. Look for the central head to grow to approximately 3 to 5 inches width.

Use a garden knife to separate the main head from the plant. Once the central head is harvested, some broccoli varieties will continue to produce side shoots that can be harvested and enjoyed for several weeks after the main harvest.

Broccoli Pests + Diseases

Like many plants in the Brassica family, broccoli is susceptible to numerous pests, especially cabbage loopers, cabbage worms, and aphids. Check the undersides of broccoli plant leaves daily for signs of pest infestations.

BT sprays may help to control caterpillars on broccoli plants. Homemade soap spray or neem oil may be used to help with aphids. Insect cloth or row covers may help to keep some pests off the plants.

Common broccoli diseases include alternaria leaf spot, resulting in brownish-gray lesions on plant leaves; club root, which can result in stunted, slow growing plants that wilt; and powdery mildew, resulting in white spots on leaves that eventually cause leaves to drop from the plant.

Many broccoli diseases are caused by fungi that can inhabit the soil. Rotate crops, sanitize equipment, and use appropriate fungicides to help control disease. Grow disease-resistant broccoli varieties to help prevent or manage disease in a garden.

Looking for more tips on common problems with growing broccoli? Here are some tips on broccoli problems and solutions.

How to Use Broccoli in Recipes

Broccoli is a great vegetable to use in recipes. Fresh broccoli can be used to make broccoli salad, or it can be added as an ingredient for fresh salads. Sliced broccoli makes a great addition to kale and Brussels sprout salad.

Broccoli is also a great vegetable to use for making stir fry. Sliced broccoli florets are also great to use when making breakfast casserole or vegetable casserole.

Steamed broccoli is great dressed with olive oil and herbs. Chopped broccoli is a key ingredient in broccoli cheddar soup. Broccoli also makes a good topping for pizza.

Looking for more tips on broccoli and other great vegetables?

This post was all about how to grow broccoli.

Credits

Photo by Marina Helena Muller / Unsplash
Photos are for illustrative purposes only.

How to Grow Broccoli + The Best Broccoli Recipe Ideas