Broccoli is grown as a delicious and healthy vegetable. It contains a high nutritional value, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, potassium, antioxidants and fibre. In addition, broccoli is low in calories, which makes it popular in weight loss diets. What we eat as “broccoli” is not the plant’s fruit, but it is essentially its flower.
Specifically, the plant’s inflorescences together with the underdeveloped buds form the flower head of broccoli which has a diameter of 10-15 cm and is the well-known vegetable we eat. Growing broccoli is easy; however, some secrets will make your production worthwhile.
Choose the right varieties
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Depending on the location and preferences, you may choose from a variety based on the duration to maturity and the size of the head. The early varieties of broccoli mature in two months and are harvested early, even in late autumn.
The late varieties produce three to four months and are harvested by the growers mainly during the winter period. Single-headed broccoli varieties produce only one large central flower head during cultivation. Farmers prefer it because of the large broccoli and low production costs.
Growing conditions
Broccoli thrives in a cool environment. The ideal temperature for the growth of the broccoli flower head is between 15-20 degrees Celsius. The crop also grows best in sunny places if grown in a semi-shady position; the ripening is significantly delayed.
Plant in cool and fertile soils with good drainage. Remember it does not thrive in very acidic and alkaline soils. Before planting broccoli, we can improve soil fertility by adding organic matter by incorporating manure and compost into the soil.
To create new broccoli plants from seed, we need six to seven weeks to transplant them to the final cultivation sites. Ideal temperatures for seed germination and plant growth are 20-25 degrees Celsius.
Recommended planting distances for broccoli are in rows that are 70-80 cm apart and 40-50 cm between plants. Apply mulch to retain moisture and treat unwanted grass.
Watering
Water two to three times a week, depending, of course, on the amount of rainfall during this period. In conditions of excessive soil moisture, broccoli is susceptible to fungal diseases that cause rot and tanning on the plant. Inadequate watering reduces the size of the flower head, thus affecting the quality.
Broccoli has low nutrient requirements and does not require large amounts of fertiliser to produce good heads. Add manure and compost to the soil to help the plant grow. Supplement complete organic fertiliser containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium once a month. Avoid adding too much nitrogen fertiliser because it contributes to the softening and quality degradation of the broccoli flower head.
Scout for pests and diseases
The cultivation of broccoli has the same problems with diseases and insects that affect cabbage cultivation and cauliflower cultivation. The common pest is the caterpillar of the cabbage that eats its leaves. For the ecological treatment of the insects that infect broccoli, use organic insecticides such as Thuringia bacillus, potassium salts, and natural pyrethrum. Alternatively, prevention can be achieved using improvised recipes with garlic and pepper.
In conditions of high humidity, the cultivation of broccoli is affected by various fungal diseases that cause yellowing or tanning of the foliage and shoots, such as downy mildew, Alternaria, Fusarium, and rhizoids. To deal with them, we use organic copper. Snails also attack the broccoli by eating the leaves. To control snails on broccoli, place ashes around the plants.
Harvest in good time
The broccoli is ready for harvest two to three months after transplanting. This is marked by tight flower heads that have attained a size of 9-13 cm in diameter and a weight of close to 500 grams. Some varieties can have a longer harvest time, about one to two months longer. Because after cutting the central broccoli, small lateral shoots develop where other more miniature broccoli can be harvested later.
