The first step in growing broccoli is to prepare the soil. You can check the pH of your garden bed with a $15 kit available at any nursery. Broccoli grows best in a pH of 6.0-7.0, and if the soil is too acidic, you can add lime; if the soil is too alkaline, you can add sulfur. I learned this lesson after the first crop of broccoli I grew turned yellow as a result of soil imbalance.
Soil Testing & Amendments
- Use a pH meter or test strips weekly until stable
- Add 2 cups of lime per 10 sq ft for acidic soil
- Mix 1 cup sulfur per 10 sq ft if pH exceeds 7.5
Pest Prevention
- Install floating row covers at planting
- Handpick caterpillars every morning for 10 days
- Spray neem oil at dusk to avoid sunburn on leaves
Both Gypsy and Green Magic are resistant to common diseases which makes them great for first-time growers. In my first experience growing broccoli I lost half my crop to black rot before switching my varieties. Space the plants 18-24 inches apart. Crowding will cause mildew in the fall and heads will be small.
Time your planting around frost dates. Start sowing seeds indoors 6 weeks before the last spring frost. When transplanting fall crops, plan on transplanting seedlings 10 weeks before the season's first frost. I simply keep a wall calendar to keep track of frost dates. It helps to prevent crops from bolting from excessive heat waves late in the spring season.
Read the full article: How to Grow Broccoli: Expert Tips for Home Gardens
