Start broccoli seeds indoors April 1st at 77°. Days to germination: 5-8. Don’t let plants become potbound in their pots. Transplant outside May 1st, 18” apart. Or, sow broccoli seeds directly outside May 1st. Sow 3-4 seeds together in a group ½” deep, spaced 18” between groups. Keep seeds evenly moist until germination. Thin to the strongest plant in each group. Broccoli plants needs consistent water throughout the growing season. Protect broccoli plants from deer, groundhogs, and rabbits which will devour them. Broccoli plants may be eaten by European Cabbageworm (which is the caterpillar of the small white butterfly that flits around the garden). If they cause significant damage, hand remove caterpillars or spray organic BT.
Broccoli heads are the immature flower shoot. Harvest shoots while still tight. After harvesting the main head, Solstice will produce a supply of smaller shoots if harvested frequently.
Broccoli is difficult to save seed from. It is in the Brassica family so it is insect pollinated and cross-pollinated. It also suffers from inbreeding depression if you don’t save seeds from enough plants. Broccoli will cross with any Brassica oleracea that are flowering at the same time (kale, collards, cabbage, brussel sprouts, kohlrabi, cauliflower). Isolation distance: ½ mile. Minimum population size: 10-50 plants. To harvest seed, allow plants to flower and collect seed when mature.
