Broccoli: A Formula For Success
Broccoli: A Formula For Success
Broccoli is one of the most popular vegetables grown in Texas and for good reason; it is tasty, nutritious, purported to prevent cancer and, most importantly, easy to grow. It is also one of the most productive garden crops you can grow if you consider its dollar value per square foot planted – have you priced it lately in the grocery store? And it is a great choice for a fall garden.
Sounds like the perfect crop. Well almost. To have a really bumper crop of broccoli requires a high level of moisture and fertilizer throughout the growing season and optimum growing conditions. And if fall weather stays mild, production can continue into the next year in many parts of the state. If winter comes early and hard it can put an end to an otherwise successful broccoli crop.
Varieties
It is important to start with varieties that are proven to grow well in Texas. Try Green Comet (our favorite), Packman or Premium Crop. Unlike spring planted broccoli which must be grown from transplants, fall broccoli can be grown from seed (start two weeks before you plan to set out plants). However, we prefer to use transplants if available. Look for healthy, succulent plants that have not been stressed and are free of disease. Woody stems indicate older, stressed plants. Spotted or discolored foliage may be a sign of disease. It is better to start from seed if you cannot find healthy plants or if the variety is unknown.
Soil Preparation
First and foremost be sure to rotate broccoli and other Cole crops (cabbage, collards, etc.) with other vegetables like tomatoes, okra to help avoid disease problems.
Broccoli prefers slightly heavy soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5 and good drainage. If your soil pH is below 6 consider adding lime to raise the pH.
If you garden in heavy clay, use raised beds or mound your planting beds to improve drainage. Those of you with sandy soil should add plenty of organic matter. Once again, the key to a successful broccoli crop is to maintain a high level of fertility and moisture throughout the growing period. You want to produce a large, vigorous plant before it starts to form flower buds or heads.
If you used a complete fertilizer in the spring (1-2-2 or 2-2-1) use only a nitrogen fertilizer such as urea, ammonium sulfate or ammonium nitrate. Apply 1/2 to 1 pound per 40 feet of row.
If you have access to rotted barnyard manure apply about 100 pounds per 40 feet of row and use the lower rate of synthetic fertilizer. Rototill the fertilizer and any organic matter into the soil several weeks before planting time.
In most parts of the state, broccoli should be planted late summer or early fall to allow it to mature before temperatures drop to the mid 20’s.
If you are able to locate good quality transplants, set them out rather deeply – up to the first leaves, about 6 to 8 inches apart and place a protective collar (dip or margarine container with the bottom cut out) over each plant to keep the cutworms from destroying your newly planted broccoli. Make sure your soil is moist at planting time. Water prior to planting if necessary. Now is also a good time to apply a water-soluble starter solution – either synthetic or compost tea. This will give the transplants a boost until the roots spread out and can utilize the nutrients you added to the soil.
Keep your broccoli well watered throughout the growing season and apply a thick layer of mulch. Broccoli is relatively shallow rooted and must be watered more often than many other garden crops.
Common Pests
Cabbage worms or loopers are the most likely pest to attack your broccoli plants. They can be controlled rather easily with one of the BT products. BT is a biological worm killer that is not harmful to humans or beneficial insects (with the exception of future butterflies that can be killed in their larval stage). To increase its effectiveness add a tablespoon of dish soap per gallon of spray and be sure to spray the underside of leaves where most of the worms are located.
Aphids and harlequin bugs can also be a problem on broccoli. Use an approved insecticide for control. Harlequin bugs can also be removed by hand and destroyed while soap sprays are somewhat effective against aphids.
Diseases like downy mildew and black rot can attack broccoli. That is why we recommend rotating broccoli with other non-related crops and using clean transplants. Otherwise, it may be necessary to use an approved fungicide for control.
Cold Protection
For the most part, broccoli does best when it matures during cool weather-40 to 70 degrees and can handle a light freeze. But if it is growing rapidly and succulently, as it should, it is very vulnerable to temperatures in the mid 20’s.
If the meteorologist predicts a severe cold snap either harvest your broccoli early or protect it with blankets or floating row cover.
Harvest
When it comes to harvesting broccoli do not procrastinate. Harvest when the heads are 6 to 8 inches across and still tight. If you wait too long, the small flowers will start to open and you will have a beautiful, yellow bouquet instead of a head of broccoli. Remove the large heads carefully to avoid damaging the side shoots that will form in succeeding weeks. This second crop, if weather allows, is just as tasty as the first.
For success with broccoli remember the secret formula: optimum fertility, moisture and good growing conditions. With the help of Mother Nature, you are on your way to a bountiful crop.