Broccoli Seeds - Di Ciccio, ORGANIC

Minimum Seeds per Packet: 300

Packet Weight: 2g

Planting Season: Spring, Fall

Sowing Method: Transplant

Seed Depth: 1/2"

Direct Seed Spacing: 2-4"

Soil Temperature: 40-80 ℉

Days to Sprout: 5-17

Mature Spacing: 18-24"

Sun Requirement: Full Sun

Frost Tolerance: Moderately Tolerant

Days to Harvest: 55 from Tranplant

When to Seed Broccoli

For a spring or early summer harvest, start your broccoli indoors six to eight weeks before your last frost date, transplanting the seedlings about three weeks before your last frost date. For a fall harvest, find the days to harvest information and seed your broccoli indoors that many days ahead of your first frost date. Cooler climates may be able to direct seed their broccoli for a fall harvest, but often the summer will simply cause them to bolt rather than mature. Certain frost protectant measures can be used to extend your growing season by several weeks.  

Where to Plant Broccoli

Broccoli will prefer a spot with full sun but can tolerate some shade. It will need well-draining, rich soil with a pH between six and seven. To increase the fertility of your soil ahead of planting, mix in two to four inches of compost and add additional high-nitrogen fertilizer if necessary. These are heavy feeders! 

Growing Broccoli

When transplanting, ideally your seedlings will be four inches in height. Plant your seedlings out 18 to 24 inches apart in rows 36 inches apart. Applying mulch after planting can help keep weeds in check and hold in moisture. The shallow roots of broccoli can be easily disturbed by weeding, so it’s best to avoid weeds in the first place! Ensure your seedlings get at least one inch of water per week. As the head starts to form, begin watering from below to avoid mold forming on the crown. Fertilize your broccoli with a high nitrogen fertilizer about one month after transplanting. 

Harvesting Broccoli

Harvest the main heads when the buds are tightly closed and dark green. Cut the crown where it meets the stem using sharp shears. A clean cut will better encourage new growth for more harvest. Avoid waiting to harvest until the buds begin to flower into light green or yellow blooms. 

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea) is an insect-pollinated biennial that needs only very mild winter conditions to trigger flowering. To collect pure seed, isolate your broccoli by ½ mile from any other B. oleracea varieties that may be in flower at the same time. Collect seed from at least six different plants to ensure good vigor and genetic diversity. A common seed saving method among home gardeners is to harvest the main heads from the plants, then allow the side shoots to flower and go to seed. Pick seed pods off the plants as they turn brown and completely dry. You can open them and empty out the seeds by hand, or crush the pods all together and then winnow by pouring the seeds and chaff from one container to another in front of a fan. Make sure the seeds are completely dried before storing them in an airtight container in a dark and cool location.