Omari Gates
Broccoli is a nutritious and delicious staple in many gardens worldwide. It is a cool-season crop that can be grown year-round in most areas of Australia, although it is generally grown in the cooler months to avoid pests. Broccoli comes in a variety of colours, sizes, and types, and can be grown in pots or in the ground. This guide will explore how to grow broccoli in Australia, covering planting, watering, fertilising, pruning, and harvesting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Season | Cool season annual vegetable |
| Climate | All climates, depending on variety |
| Soil | Deep, well-drained soil |
| Soil enrichment | Compost, decomposed manure, blood and bone, organic fertiliser |
| Sunlight | Full sun position |
| Planting | Seeds or seedlings |
| Seed depth | 6mm or 1cm |
| Seed spacing | 40-50cm |
| Seedling transplant height | 5-10cm or 7cm |
| Watering | Regular, deep watering 2-3 times a week |
| Feeding | Fortnightly liquid fertiliser and seaweed solution |
| Harvesting | When heads are green and compact |
| Pests | Snails, slugs, caterpillars, cabbage moth, aphids |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the soil
Broccoli is a cool-season crop that can be grown year-round in most areas of Australia. It is best grown in a full sun position in your garden or in large pots. To prepare the soil for planting broccoli, follow these steps:
Choose a suitable location
Select a spot in your garden that receives full sun. Broccoli prefers a deep, well-drained soil. If you are using pots, ensure they are large enough to accommodate the broccoli's roots. A 30 cm diameter pot should be sufficient for one broccoli plant.
Enrich the soil with organic matter
Improve the soil by adding plenty of organic matter, such as compost, decomposed manure, and blood and bone. You can also use pelletised organic fertiliser or an organic fertiliser specifically designed for vegetables. Mix these amendments into the top 10-15 cm of soil before planting. Apply dolomite or lime at the same time to boost calcium levels.
Prepare the planting holes
Dig small holes in the prepared soil, big enough to accommodate the roots of the broccoli seedlings. Space the holes about 30-50 cm apart, depending on the variety of broccoli you are planting.
Transplant the seedlings
Gently remove the broccoli seedlings from their trays or punnets, taking care to disturb the roots as little as possible. Plant the seedlings so that the roots are covered but not the stem. The final level of soil around the seedlings should be at the same depth as it was in their previous container.
Water and apply mulch
Water the transplanted seedlings well, making sure the soil is moist. Apply mulch, such as sugarcane or pea straw, around the base of the plants. Mulch will help to retain moisture in the soil and keep the roots cool.
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Planting and germination
Broccoli is a cool-season crop that can be grown year-round in most areas of Australia. It is best grown in the cooler months to avoid pests. Broccoli seeds can be sown in summer or autumn, depending on the climate. Choose a full sun position in your garden or grow broccoli in large pots.
Before planting broccoli, improve the soil by adding compost, decomposed manure, blood and bone, and organic fertiliser. Broccoli grows best in deep, well-drained soil. To grow broccoli from seed, fill punnets with a seed-raising mix and plant 6-8 seeds per punnet. Keep the punnets in a sunny, warm spot and keep the soil moist. Broccoli seeds take about 6–10 days to germinate.
Once the seedlings have developed 2 sets of true leaves, they can be transplanted into the garden. Space the seedlings about 30–50 cm apart, depending on the variety. Dig small holes in the soil, accommodating all the roots. Plant the seedlings so the roots are covered but not the stem. The final level of soil around the seedlings should be at the same depth as it was in their punnets. Water the seedlings well and keep the soil moist.
Young broccoli seedlings are prone to attack by snails and slugs, especially during damp weather. To protect them, apply snail and slug pellets or bait. It is also beneficial to apply mulch, such as sugarcane or pea straw, around the base of the plants to retain moisture.
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Feeding and fertilising
Broccoli is a hungry plant and requires lots of nutrients to grow well. Before planting, it is recommended to improve the soil by adding compost, well-rotted manure, or organic fertiliser. This will ensure the soil is nutrient-rich and well-drained. Broccoli plants require a balanced blend of nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, for optimal growth.
Once the seeds are sown, fertilisation is key to providing your broccoli with the nutrients it needs to thrive. A balanced fertiliser can be used every two weeks or so, being careful not to over-fertilise. When the broccoli head starts forming, switch to a low-nitrogen fertiliser like bone meal or fish emulsion for better flavour.
You can also apply a liquid fertiliser, such as PowerFeed PRO SERIES for Tomatoes and Vegetables, every week. Mix 20ml of PowerFeed concentrate with 9 litres of water (a standard watering can). Yates Thrive Natural Vegie & Herb Concentrate is another option, with 2 capfuls diluted in 9 litres of water.
For organic growing, liquid feeds of OCP eco-aminogro and OCP eco-seaweed can be applied every 2-3 weeks. This will establish strong plants and provide plenty of nutrients throughout the growing season.
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Pest control
Broccoli is prone to several pests, including slugs, snails, caterpillars, aphids, and the white cabbage moth. To control slugs and snails, you can use a light sprinkling of snail and slug bait, such as Yates Snail & Slug Bait, or apply mulch, like sugarcane or pea straw, around the base of the plants. For caterpillars, you can use exclusion netting to prevent moths from laying eggs, or use bacterial sprays such as Dipel or Yates Ultra Success. To protect against aphids and the white cabbage moth, you can plant broccoli among other plants, especially strong-smelling herbs, to confuse the adult moths. You can also hand-pick grubs from the plants daily and cover seedlings with an exclusion barrier, as the moths are less attracted to cooler temperatures. Natural remedies such as neem oil or insecticidal soap can also help control pests without harmful chemicals.
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Harvesting
Harvest the large heads when mature using a sharp knife, but do not remove the plant. Your broccoli will continue to produce smaller heads off the stem, like mini broccoli, for several weeks, helping to increase your harvest and season. Broccoli can keep producing well into spring. With most varieties, once you’ve harvested the central head, the plant will produce a steady supply of delicious side shoots for several months.
When planted from seed, broccoli takes around 100 to 150 days to be ready for harvest. From seedlings, it takes 55 to 80 days to grow. Harvest when the heads are still green and compact, before they turn yellow or start flowering. Harvest in the morning before the ground heats up. Cut the head off the plant, including about 6 inches of stem.
Broccoli is prone to attack from several pests and diseases common to plants in the cabbage family. Apply snail and slug pellets at planting and net with insect exclusion netting to minimise caterpillar damage. If caterpillars are present, spray with Dipel. Aphids can be problematic, too. Some nets will also prevent these pests from impacting your crop, otherwise spray with eco-oil.
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Frequently asked questions
Broccoli is a cool-season crop and is best grown in the cooler months to avoid pests. In most areas of Australia, broccoli can be grown year-round. However, the best time to grow broccoli is during autumn and early winter, with spring being the peak season.
First, fill trays or punnets with a seed-raising mix and plant 6-8 broccoli seeds per punnet. Keep the seedling tray in a warm and sunny spot and water gently. Once the seedlings are around 5-10cm high, they can be transplanted into the garden bed. Space the seedlings about 30-50cm apart and water them regularly.
Broccoli is prone to attack by snails, slugs, and caterpillars. Other pests and diseases include aphids, the cabbage white butterfly, and fungal problems in humid areas or warm weather.
Harvest broccoli when the heads are tight, bright green, and before they turn yellow or start flowering. Cut the head, including about 6 inches of the stem, using a sharp knife. Broccoli takes around 100-150 days to mature for harvest when planted from seed.
