Broccoli
Growing
Sown seeds will germinate in 7-12 days as shown,
thin the seedlings when they have developed true
leaves, leaving the strongest. Then plant about 60cm apart in rows.
Sheet pellets are great for broccoli.
Watch out for the White butterfly, apparently when they find your crop they
stalk it!
You might notice from the photograph I grow some of my broccoli in fizzy
drink bottles
that I cut the top
off and put a hole or two in the bottom.
I don't transplant these
seedlings they stay in these containers in
the wood
shed where they are sheltered
and less likely to be found by the
white
butterfly but you can see
they are in need of a
bit of derris dust :-)
The time to cut is when the floor shoots are well formed and before
the flower buds open. If you let the broccoli go to flower you will
stop getting anymore shoots. Cut the central head on a diagonal
to prevent rot. Side shoots will grow and these can be picked
regularly, never completely strip the plant.
Storing
Broccoli will last in a plastic in the fridge
for up to 3 days. If'
you want to freeze soak the broccoli in salt water for 15minutes,
rinse, blanch in hot water for 3-4 minutes, cool, drain and freeze.
Broccoli Seedlings without true leaves
Broccoli Seedlings in coke bottles in shed
