7 Useful Tips for Planting Broccoli Seeds

Broccoli is a cool-season favorite in many home vegetable gardens. It’s easy to grow and rich in essential nutrients. In this post, you’ll discover all you need to know about planting broccoli seeds and keeping your plants thriving until harvest time.

Compared to other veggies in the Brassica plant family, broccoli has a relatively long growing season. Depending on which variety you planted, it typically takes between 80 and 100 days before the broccoli is ready to harvest. As such, many gardeners in colder climates prefer to start broccoli seeds indoors in late winter or early spring, so they get a head start on the spring planting season. After transplanting your seedlings, expect to harvest the broccoli heads in 55-85 days.

Broccoli plants require cool weather to form a dense central head. Ideally, the plant should get harvested before temperatures consistently rise above 75℉. You can also plant broccoli in late summer for a second fall crop. Keep reading to discover how to grow broccoli from seeds in your garden.

Helpful Tips and Tricks for Planting Broccoli Seeds

Broccoli florets are wonderfully wholesome veggies. They’re packed full of antioxidants, fiber, minerals, and vitamins. Eating broccoli helps to alleviate inflammation, regulate blood sugar levels, lower the risk of heart disease, and prevent chronic illnesses.

Broccoli (Brassicaoleracea var. italica) is a member of the cabbage family. It’s closely related to arugula, bok choy, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi, radishes, and turnips.

Broccoli is mainly cultivated for its large, edible flower head, which gets harvested just before blooming. However, the leaves and stems are also remarkably delicious and nutritious. Use them in the kitchen similarly to cabbage, Swiss chard, or kale.

All you need for growing broccoli from seed is a location with full sun and rich, well-draining garden soil. Broccoli plants prefer a somewhat acidic soil pH between 6.0 and 6.8. Spread used coffee grounds around the plants as mulch to add nitrogen to the soil and slightly lower its pH.

Although most broccoli you’ll find on the grocery store shelf is the Calabrese variety, there are dozens of unique cultivars available to try growing at home. Here are a few of the top-rated types of broccoli for home gardeners.

Best Broccoli Varieties

• Belstar (hybrid, compact growth habit, heat-tolerant, disease-resistant, 16-20″ tall and wide, 6-8″ heads, 65-75 days to harvest)
• Di Cicco (heirloom, plants produce florets at varying rates, 24-36″ tall and wide, 3-5″ heads, 50-70 days to harvest)
• Early Purple Sprouting (heirloom, produces small purple florets instead of a central head, frost-hardy, 24-30″ tall, 12″ wide, 1-2″ heads 60-65 days to harvest)
• Emerald Crown (hybrid, compact growth habit, frost-tolerant, resists purpling in cold weather, 24-30″ tall and wide, 6-8″ heads, 65-80 days to harvest)
• Green Goliath (hybrid, prolific side-shoots after harvesting the main head, cold- and heat-tolerant, 18-24″ tall and wide, 8-12″ heads, 60-70 days to harvest)
• Green Magic (hybrid, compact growth habit, heat-tolerant, buttery flavor, 20-24″ tall and wide, 5-6″ heads, 60-70 days to harvest)
• Paraiso (hybrid, stores well after harvesting, disease-resistant, 24-30″ tall and wide, 5-6″ heads, 85-100 days to harvest)

How to Plant Broccoli Seeds

The best method for planting broccoli from seed depends on your climate. If your region typically has mild spring weather, direct-sow broccoli seeds once the soil temperature is above 40℉. If you tend to get short spring seasons and the hot weather arrives early, consider starting your broccoli seeds indoors.

For a spring broccoli crop, direct-sow seeds two to three weeks before the forecasted last frost date. Plant more seeds six to eight weeks before the first autumn frost for a fall harvest, so the broccoli heads mature in cooler temperatures.

Alternatively, sow seeds indoors about four or five weeks before your expected last spring frost. First, fill a seedling tray, peat pots, or a repurposed egg carton with nutrient-rich potting soil. It’s helpful to pre-saturate the soil to avoid disturbing the newly planted seeds.

Sow your broccoli seeds a quarter-inch deep, then loosely cover them. Maintain evenly moist soil during the germination process and while the seedlings develop. The optimal temperature for broccoli seed germination is between 65-75℉. On average, you can expect the seedlings to emerge in eight to ten days or longer in cold soil.

Once the seedlings begin sprouting, place them on a south-facing windowsill where they’ll get six or more hours of bright light throughout the day. If you don’t have a sunny spot available, consider using grow lights to prevent your seedlings from becoming elongated or “leggy.”

When to Plant Broccoli Seedlings

Broccoli seedlings should have six to eight true leaves before getting transplanted outdoors. Spacing between each plant should be between 12 and 20 inches, depending on which variety you’re growing. Refer to the information printed on the seed packet for variety-specific recommendations.

Transplant your broccoli seedlings outdoors two to four weeks before the last spring frost. Protect the young plants from below-freezing temperatures with a cold frame, floating row covers, or old towels or blankets. Cover your planting area with a deep layer of organic compost, dark-colored mulch, or a sheet of black plastic one or two weeks before planting broccoli seeds to warm the soil.

Broccoli Plant Care

Broccoli plants grow best in well-draining soil that’s rich in organic matter. It’s beneficial to add a generous amount of compost, worm castings, or well-rotted manure to your garden soil in the late fall or early spring.

Broccoli grows best in full sun with six or more hours of direct sunlight throughout the day. The plants also tolerate partial shade. Broccoli plants need consistent soil moisture. On average, give your broccoli plants around two inches of water each week and more during especially dry or hot weather.

Broccoli plants tend to be heavy feeders and benefit from regular fertilizing throughout the growing season. Top-dress with organic, all-purpose fertilizer immediately after transplanting your broccoli seedlings. Feed the growing plants every four to six weeks according to the instructions on the product label.

How to Grow Broccoli Seeds in Containers

If you don’t have a veggie garden or raised beds at home, don’t worry. Growing broccoli from seed in a container garden is also possible. The method for planting broccoli seeds is the same as described above.Find a container that’s at least 12 inches deep, and allow one to two feet of width per plant. Be sure to use a pot with several drainage holes at the bottom to prevent problems with root rot and fungal diseases.

Harvesting and Storing Homegrown Broccoli

Broccoli heads are ready for harvesting when they’re firm and dense, just before the flowers open. Use a pair of sterile, sharp pruners to cut the plant’s main stem several inches below the head. Harvest your broccoli immediately if you notice the flower buds beginning to bloom.

Most types of broccoli produce a second, smaller harvest of side shoots or florets for several weeks after collecting the main head. For the best possible flavor and texture, harvest in the early morning, when the buds are firm and tight.

Store your homegrown broccoli in a perforated plastic bag in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator for up to one week. Or, place the cut end of the stem in a glass with several inches of clean water and store it refrigerated.

For more extended storage, freeze broccoli for up to six months. It’s best to blanch the broccoli before freezing. Cook it in boiling water for two to three minutes, then submerge it in an ice bath for another two to three minutes. Pat it dry, then seal it in a freezer-safe container.

Solutions for Common Pest and Disease Problems

The best defense against attacks from insects and pathogens is keeping your plants healthy. Be sure to provide the proper amounts of light, nutrients, and water and monitor for signs of damage or distress.

Some of the most widespread insect pests that feed on broccoli include aphids, cabbage loopers, cabbage worms, flea beetles, and thrips. Cover tender young seedlings with floating row covers in the springtime to keep insects from laying eggs on them. When you first notice signs of a pest infestation, spray all parts of the affected plants with an organic insecticide like horticultural oil, neem oil, or insecticidal soap.

Plant diseases like downy mildew, powdery mildew, and rust persist in damp conditions and easily spread through water droplets. Using drip irrigation or a soaker hose when watering keeps the leaves dry. Ensure proper spacing between plants for adequate airflow. Remove any diseased foliage and treat the plant with an organic copper or sulfur fungicide.

Growing broccoli from seed in your home veggie garden is an easy and rewarding DIY project. Broccoli prefers cool weather, making it an outstanding spring and fall crop. Just ensure that your broccoli plants grow in full sun and get plenty of water and fertilizer, and you’ll enjoy an abundant harvest of yummy, nutritious homegrown broccoli. Don’t forget that the leaves and stems are edible, as well.

Do you have any questions or suggestions about planting broccoli seeds? Please share them in the comments! If you enjoyed learning how to grow broccoli from seed, please share these gardening tips with your fellow green thumbs.