In a salad, as a soup or as a vegetable - broccoli always tastes good. In addition, it is low in calories, rich in minerals and vitamin C. Not only the florets, but also the leaves and stems are edible. So let's get started growing broccoli in the garden or on the balcony - that's how it works perfectly.

Optimal location and ideal planting time

If the location is sunny and sheltered from the wind, broccoli plants are easy to grow and harvest for several years compared to other types of vegetables. For this they need more lime. Too little lime reduces the harvest and weakens the plants. It is best to work plenty of algae lime and compost into the soil before sowing or cultivating and possibly add an additional amount of lime directly to the planting hole. The green vegetables thrive particularly well in neutral soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.

If you choose early broccoli varieties, you should prefer them in March in a seed tray on the windowsill. From May, grow the young seedlings outdoors or in a greenhouse. Sow late varieties from the end of April directly outdoors with a planting distance of 50 centimetres.

Fertilize broccoli - you should pay attention to that

Broccoli plants are heavy feeders and need organic fertilizers such as manure or compost. After the first fertilization, three or four doses of nitrogen are enough to promote growth. 4 weeks before the first harvest you should avoid fertilizing because of the formation of nitrates.
Regular watering prevents growth in dry conditions. Mulching with organic material such as nettle leaves is doubly worthwhile as it retains soil moisture while providing nitrogen to the plants. Additional hoeing between rows activates growth.

Proper cutting allows multiple harvests

After 14 to 15 weeks the broccoli is fully grown and the middle flower is formed but still closed. To harvest broccoli several times, first cut off only the fully formed main shoots with flower buds at a height of 15 centimeters. In 3 to 4 weeks, the secondary shoots underneath will grow back and can be harvested.

The best protection against diseases and vermin

Like all types of cabbage, broccoli is also attacked by the cabbage white butterfly. A butterfly that lays its eggs on the underside of broccoli leaves. A net protects against this and effectively prevents the butterfly larvae from devouring the leaves. Otherwise, mixed cultures and the use of plant-strengthening compost and rock flour (€14.13) prevent pests and diseases.

Overwinter broccoli properly

Broccoli plants like it sunny and warm. Nevertheless, you can overwinter them outside without any problems. It is important to protect the plants with a wooden frame. When the temperature is below zero, simply put a fleece or tarpaulin over the frame - done. In the spring, remove the tarpaulin and leave the broccoli or move it. To do this, pull out the plant completely with its roots and plant it in a bed prepared with compost.

tips and tricks

Do not boil broccoli under any circumstances, otherwise valuable ingredients will be lost! The gentle preparation in the steam cooker preserves vitamins, minerals and nutrients.

Category:

Vegetable garden