Broccoli is a productive vegetable that can be grown as a cool climate crop in all parts of Australia (see climate map 1). For most people it is a short lived crop but, with the right care and regular harvesting, broccoli plants will last for several seasons.

Caring for broccoli

To grow broccoli as a cool season crop sow seeds in late spring and plant out seedlings in late summer. Seedlings can also be bought at the nursery in late summer or autumn for planting. Select varieties that will produce side branches. Note: avoid 'Marathon' as this variety will not produce good side growth.

Water well and put mulch around plants. Harvesting usually begins 10 to 11 weeks after planting but will take longer (up to 16 weeks) in areas with very cold winters. To keep plants growing strongly feed every month with Dynamic Lifter.

To stop broccoli going to seed and dying, continue to feed the plant and harvest the stems. The plant will continue to put out side shoots. If the heads of broccoli are allowed to flower the plants will seed and your production will cease.

Despite your best care some varieties and some garden conditions will make it difficult to keep broccoli productive after 8-12 weeks of harvesting. To maintain a good supply in your garden make staggered plantings through summer and into autumn. In late winter or spring plant varieties which will continue to crop into the warmer months (see climate map 2 for best climates for this planting). Select varieties such as 'Green Dragon', 'Magic Dragon', 'Wondergreen' (seeds) or Green Sprouting forms now for harvesting in late spring and early summer.

Cooking with broccoli

Broccoli is high in Vitamin C and low in kilojules. To keep your family interested in eating broccoli regularly find new ways of eating this vegetable. Try combining broccoli with unusual ingredients, or cooking it in unexpected ways. Experiment with your own combinations or cooking methods such as stir fry broccoli with cashews, cheese sauce broccoli, broccoli soup or broccoli quiche.

Availability

Packets of seed and punnets of seedlings of a number of hybrids are available from garden centres, produce stores and some hardware stores.

Copyright CTC Productions 2006