Growing Broccoli from Seed with Recipes

Mary's Heirloom Seeds Growing Broccoli from Seed to Harvest      Don't Miss Out! In case you're just tuning in, we've been steadily adding to our 2014 Planting Guide. For your viewing pleasure we've made a special page with all of the growing info in one easy place. Our next WORKSHOP will be  Thursday, April 10th at 6pm Helpful Links  Using Diatomaceous Earth in the Garden BEANS and CORN Heirloom Fruits Heirloom TOMATOES HERB Seeds Wildflower Seeds Seed Pack Combos SUPPLIES Seed Starting Indoors Growing Beets Growing Radish Growing Tomatoes Join Our Mailing List Mary's Heirloom Seeds 2104 Tyler Street Hollywood, FL 33020 (954) 654-3501 Find us at the Yellow Green Farmer's Market Booth #281 Saturday & Sunday 8am-4pm NEW! Japanese Giant Mustard Riesentraube Tomato Welcome to another addition to our 2014 Seed Planting Guide! We have a few tips and tricks to share.  Enjoy! Growing Broccoli from Seed to Harvest Calabrese can be an easier and quicker variety  to grow than other types of broccoli.  48 days. (Brassica oleracea) An Italian heirloom that was brought to America in the 1880s, 5-8" heads and many side shoots. For the best results, broccoli should be planted after a crop of peas or beans, as these vegetables leave deposits of nitrogen in the soil, which is much needed by the broccoli for healthy growth and development.  Broccoli is a cool weather crop that generally thrives in cooler temperatures that do not exceed 30°C (86°F). The ideal temperature for cultivating broccoli is between 65 - 75°F.   Broccoli should be planted in an open, sunny or partially shaded area.  I like to soak seeds for up to 24 hours before planting. Sow broccoli seeds thinly, approximately 1/2 inch deep in rows that are 2 feet apart. Cover the seeds loosely with soil and water well. The seeds will germinate within about 10 days and then the seedlings can be thinned out to 1 foot apart (for Calabrese).    Calabrese is an extremely fast-growing crop and some varieties will be ready to harvest from anything between 40 - 65 days. If sown in April or May, the broccoli should be ready to harvest from July onwards until November.  The newest addition to Mary's Heirloom Seeds is the Romanesco De Italia Broccoli   75-100 days.    The true and popular Italian heirloom with spiraling, apple-green heads that are so superbly flavored.   Romanesco broccoli heads are really densely packed clusters of lime green flower buds that develop in the center of a leafy rosette. This variety is widely grown in northern Italy.     Harvest the broccoli when the side florets start to loosen slightly but the main head is still very compact. Cut at the base of the stalk, so that the main head is removed. Companion plants for Broccoli include: Basil, Bush Beans, Cucumber, Dill, Garlic, Hyssop, Lettuce, Marigold, Mint, Nasturtium, Onion, Potato, Radish, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme and Tomato.  Celery, onions and potatoes improve broccolis' flavor when planted near it. Broccoli loves plenty of calcium. Pairing it with plants that need little calcium is a good combination such as nasturtiums and beets. Put the nasturtiums right under the broccoli plants. Herbs such as rosemary, dill and sage help repel pests with their distinct aromas. For natural and Organic pest control, use Companion planting and Diatomaceous Earth Recipes for fresh Broccoli Do you have any tips that I may have missed?  Please feel free to share!

All of the seeds listed are open-pollinated, non-gmo and non-hybrid, non-patented,  untreated, heirloom garden seeds. Mary has signed the Safe Seed pledge.   Seed Orders placed Monday-Thursday are shipped within 24 hours, except for holidays. Shipping on Heirloom Seeds is Free within the Continental US!