Green Sprouting Broccoli

Want to grow your own super healthy, delicious broccoli? Green sprouting broccoli, also known as calabrese, is a fantastic choice for any garden. It's fast-growing, easy to care for, and gives you a long harvest, making it a winner for both beginner and experienced gardeners alike. Let's dive into how to get your own broccoli patch going!

TL;DR - Green Sprouting Broccoli: The Quick Guide

Ready for a fast-growing, nutritious treat? Sow green sprouting broccoli seeds indoors in March or directly outdoors in April and May. Transplant your seedlings in May or June. Get ready to harvest from July to October. Keep it well-watered, give it some feed and watch out for pests. This is a perfect vegetable for the spring and fall garden! You’ll be enjoying homegrown, organic broccoli in no time!

Getting Started with Green Sprouting Broccoli

Green sprouting broccoli is not just your average broccoli; it's a superstar in the vegetable gardening world! This brassica family member is known for its speed, providing you with a harvest in just 10-12 weeks from sowing. But the real fun is that the harvest period is long, usually running from July to October, giving you plenty of time to enjoy your homegrown goodness.

Sowing Your Seeds

You've got options when it comes to starting your green sprouting broccoli. You can start them indoors in March, giving them a head start. Just sow the seeds in small pots of seed compost and keep them moist, like a little broccoli spa. For a more direct approach, sow seeds outdoors in April and May directly into your well prepared soil. When sowing outdoors, aim for about 1cm deep and in rows about 30cm apart.

Planting Out

Once your seedlings are about 10cm tall, usually around May or June, they're ready for their big move to the garden. Space them out about 45cm apart in rows about 60cm apart. Give them a good water after planting, it helps them settle in. Remember, this is like moving them into their new home, so treat them well!

Broccoli Care

Once your broccoli plants are in the ground, they need a bit of love to thrive. Water them regularly, especially during any dry spells. To keep them strong, feed them a high nitrogen feed every two to three weeks. Also, get rid of any yellow leaves, as this will encourage new growth.

Pest Control

Like any good thing, green sprouting broccoli can attract a few unwanted guests. Keep an eye out for cabbage white butterflies and cabbage root fly, the party animals of the pest world! You can use netting to keep the butterflies at bay, pick off the eggs and caterpillars by hand if you see them or use a root collar or fleece to keep the root fly away. Just make sure you check them regularly so you can act quickly!

Harvesting Your Bounty

The real joy comes when it's time to harvest. Start by cutting the central head first, then harvest the smaller side shoots. Keep harvesting regularly to keep those new shoots coming! You’ll be enjoying fresh, delicious green sprouting broccoli all through the summer and into the fall.

Tips for Broccoli Success

• Sun is key: Pick a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight a day.
• Soil matters: Add plenty of compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage and nutrition.
• Water well: Keep the soil moist, especially during dry spells.
• Feed them well: Regular feeds will encourage healthy growth.
• Don't let pests party: Use netting, collars or just a careful eye to manage pests.
• Harvest regularly: Don’t leave the heads too long.

Troubleshooting

Sometimes, things don't go quite to plan. Bolting, where the plant flowers prematurely, can be caused by dry soil, warm weather, or overcrowding. Make sure your broccoli plants have plenty of water, especially in warm weather, and thin out the plants if they are too close. Clubroot is another common problem, where the roots swell due to a fungus. Grow your plants in well drained soil and rotate your brassica crops to help prevent this.

With a bit of attention and care, you’ll be enjoying homegrown, organic broccoli all summer long. Happy gardening!