About Broccoli

In Tucson the season for growing Broccoli has just begun.  Plant it between July 15th and October 1, according to the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Office.  It has 4 main types:  Large-headed varieties (Belstar is one I just ordered from Johnnyseeds.com), need plenty of space and crowding them reduces head size.  Romanesco varieties need lots of space, rich soil, regular and temperatures in the 80 degree range, and produces nice crunchy heads.  You may be familiar with this type:  Broccoli raab.  Vigorous, fast growing in cool weather.  Leaves and stems are as edible as the buds.  The last type is Sprouting broccoli (includes the Calabrese….I planted these seeds a couple of weeks ago and now have 70+ starts sitting in my kitchen).  I picked this type of broccoli because it produces small, tender heads, grown best from midsummer to fall and from fall to spring where winters are mild.  Our winters are mild in Tucson.  Calabrese will grow into bushier plants that produce numerous small heads.  Sounds like a continual harvest to me.  You can direct sow broccoli (plant the seeds directly into the garden), or transplant it from starts.  I started seeds indoors, because it is still so hot, and the sun so burning that it’s difficult for me to keep the ground moist enough for the seeds to sprout.  (I work away from home and can’t sprinkle several times a day.)

Broccoli in general is a heavy feeder, and plants take up nutrients best when the soil pH is between 6.0 and 7.0.  So in choosing a place for my plants, I amended with elemental sulphur, manure and compost.  It is recommended to also mix in a high nitrogen organic fertilizer, such as alfalfa meal.  I’ll probably add the alfalfa meal next weekend, to give it a couple weeks to “marinate”.  Then, around the end of August, I’ll have hardened off the little starts (meaning get them used to being outdoors instead of indoors), and I’ll plant ’em.

I’ll water the bed thoroughly before setting them out, and I’ll put the Calabrese 18-20″ apart, but give the Belstar a good 2′ of space.  I’ve read that Calabrese plants 18″ apart will yield 1 pound of broccoli per foot of row.  So 3-4 plants per person is sufficient for fresh eating, but you should triple that number if you want to freeze some, (or offer it at the local Farmer’s Market).  When I put them out, I’ll shade them for a week to allow them to get some good strong roots before they are allowed full sun.

It is recommended to grow several varieties to extend your harvest and help buffer your crop from stressful weather.  Varieties react differently to wet, dry, hot and cold periods.  Also since I have less-than-ideal soil, I’m expecting to give my guys extra nitrogen just as small heads begin to form.  To help get the best yield from my broccoli, I’ll mulch heavily to help keep the soil from heating up or drying out.

Them’s the plans, Stan.

PS.  Remember that broccoli and tomatoes are not good neighbors, so tomatoes will not appreciate following a crop of broccoli next spring.  And they won’t want to grow next to them at all, so a word to the wise.