Garden-fresh broccoli tastes delicious and is rich in vitamins. Whether in the garden or on the balcony - broccoli thrives in poor soil at cooler temperatures. You can grow annual or perennial plants. Growing perennial broccoli is worthwhile for anyone who wants to save on gardening and enjoy broccoli every year.
Sow early cabbage varieties ideally from March and then place them in the bed as young plants in May. The planting distance is 50 centimetres. Late broccoli varieties are possible as direct sowing in the bed until the end of June. To do this, sow 3 grains per planting hole and only let the strongest seedling continue to grow.
The optimal broccoli location
Broccoli plants prefer a sunny, sheltered location. Alkaline, nutrient-rich and loose soil fulfills ideal requirements. You can also add compost or special vegetable fertilizer (€7.49) and lime to the plants and thus significantly improve the harvest. Broccoli needs a lot of water and likes
be pampered from cultivation to harvest:
- loosen soil
- Water and fertilize regularly from below
- Cover the root area with a layer of mulch
Important for all types of broccoli: keep the soil evenly moist. Avoid waterlogging! In order for the plants to safely survive cold periods, they must grow slowly and form firm leaves. Broccoli are heavy feeders. Fertilize with simple manure from June. This is very rich in nitrogen and offers perfect conditions for vegetables. Because the enjoyment of broccoli should not be impaired by chemical agents.
Harvest with stalk and stalk
In summer it can happen that you miss the ideal harvest time. Because the flowers open quickly in warm weather. Ripe broccoli can be recognized by a well-formed inflorescence, the buds of which are about to open. If the flower is already loose and shows a yellow tinge, the buds taste too cabbage. Don't just snap off broccoli buds. It is better to cut off cleanly with the stalk or stalk directly above the armpit.
If you want to extend the harvest time, you can sow special winter varieties again in early summer and plant them in late summer. With daily watering, the plants get used to their new location better. If you grow a perennial variety properly instead of annual broccoli and take good care of it, you can harvest fresh broccoli for several years.
tips and tricks
By carefully pulling the upper leaves, you can tell whether the young plants are planted firmly enough in the ground.