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BROCCOLI

Broccoli is an edible green plant with a large flowering head and stalk harvested as a vegetable in the cabbage family. The term broccoli originates from the Italian broccolo plural, that means “a cabbage’s flowering crest” and is the diminutive form of brocco, which means “small nail” or “sprout.”

How To Grow Broccoli Overview

Broccoli is a type of cauliflower that is more widely grown for fall use because it is more resistant than the traditional cauliflower. Lee’s Sprouting Broccoli is a type of branching that is commonly valued in some areas.

Much confusion remains about the Cauliflower and Broccoli. All are the same in their general make-up and production, all growing heads in the same way and being taken one for the other to the casual observer.

The downside is that cauliflower is a tenderer variety, and it won’t tolerate the low temperature. The seed is sown in early spring, and during the season, it will grow heads. Without any damage to the vine, the

Broccoli can stand as low as 25 temperature. The seed is sown in the spring, the plants set aside in June or early July and begin to grow until the following year, with some varieties growing heads at intervals in the winter and as late as May. Throughout the winter, the focus must be devoted to individual plants that are about to grow heads. This would have pulled the outer leaves over the head to shield it from the frost it is susceptible to. The seed should be sown, and the plants handled as for the cabbage in any way. We grow well in rich, fertile soil.

Far better results would be achieved if the subject of deep planting, that is, deep spading or plowing of the land, was given further consideration. Manure that has been appropriately composted can be used in excess and thoroughly cultivated. By doing so, the plants’ roots are allowed to reach deep into the soil where they can obtain both calories and moisture.

The shallow plowing in manure helps to keep the feeding roots of plants close to the surface, which will thus quickly dry out and turn blue. If the plants are stuck with the blues, there will be no more growth, and they will be discarded as well.

The seed is sown in early spring and will produce heads during the summer.
Broccoli grows best when exposed to an average daily temperature between 18 and 23 °C (64 and 73 °F)
When the cluster of flowers, also referred to as a “head” of broccoli, appear in the center of the plant, the cluster is generally green.
Garden pruners or shears are used to cut the head about an inch from the tip.
Broccoli should be harvested before the flowers on the head bloom bright yellow.

Broccoli Nutrition Information

Raw Chopped Broccoli, 1 cup (88 Grams)

Name	Amount	Unit

Water

78.6

Protein

2.48

Total lipid (fat)

0.326

Carbohydrate

5.84

Fiber, total dietary

2.29

Sugars

1.5

Vitamin C

78.5

Choline

16.5

Name	Amount	Unit

Calcium, Ca

41.4

Magnesium, Mg

18.5

Phosphorus, P

58.1

Potassium, K

278

Sodium, Na

Energy

29.9

kcal

Carotene, beta

318

µg

Zinc, Zn

0.361

Iron, Fe

0.642

source

Garden Vegetables & Fruits Plant Preferences Profile

Specific Plant Growing Requirements and Information

Common Name

Broccoli, Calabreseitalica, Sprouting Broccoli

Plant Type

Annual

Sun Exposure

6 Hours Of Sun Per Day

Days To harvest

Days of maturity depend on the type you planted, but there are types of broccoli that can begin to be harvested around 48 days after transplantation.

Scientific Name

Brassica oleracea var. italica

Full Grown Size

Size varies greatly with growing conditions and variety of broccoli.

2 1/2 feet/76 centimeters (h) x 8 to 12 inches/20 to 30 centimeters (w)

Soil Type

Broccoli prefers a pH neutral soil, around 7.0. A fertile soil, with plenty of organic material, will keep it growing strongly all season long.

Hardiness Zones

2 – 10

Growing Broccoli Detailed Information

When To Plant Broccoli

Broccoli is a good crop in the cold season. It should be planted for the best results in early spring or late summer.

High summer temperatures will stop its growth, and the goal is to mature broccoli before or after high temperatures.

Broccoli seeds will germinate to 40 ° F (4 ° C) at soil temperatures, but warmer soil is preferable and will significantly accelerate growth.

For spring planting, broccoli could indeed start a few weeks before your last frost date: start seeds at indoor 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date.

Plant seeds outside 2 to 3 weeks before your last frost date or soil can be worked as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Sow seed outside for fall seedlings (meaning in warm weather), 85-100 days before the first frost when soil and environmental temperatures are higher. Also, you can begin seeds at the end of May.

Ideal Soil and Sun for Broccoli

Broccoli needs a place with maximum sun exposure for 6 to 8 hours a day.

The inability to have the sun will cause thinner leggy plants and generally poor heads.

Plant in fertile, moist soil bed, which drains well.

Broccoli prefers the soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0, which will be slightly acidic.

In early spring, to improve productivity before planting, work in 2 to 4 inches of fertile compost or a small amount of manure.

How to Plant Broccoli

When planting broccoli seeds outdoors, plant 1⁄2 inch deep seeds and 3 inches apart.

When seedlings are 2 to 3 inches high, thin them so that plants are between 12 and 20 inches apart.

If you have begun indoor seeds, transplants aged 4 to 6 weeks (with 4 to 5 leaves) outside, 12 to 20 inches apart, in holes that are marginally smaller than their jar depths.

Plant broccoli rows 3 feet apart. (Smaller primary heads / secondary heads result in larger spacing.) Wash well.

How to Care For Broccoli

Plants thrive outside in conditions of 65 ° F to 70 ° F (18 ° to 21 ° C).

Three weeks after transplanting seedlings in to the garden, fertilize broccoli. Using a fertilizer with low nitrogen.

Provide consistent soil moisture, especially throughout drought conditions, with frequent waterings. Water 1 to 1 1⁄2 inches a week, at least.

Do not water broccoli heads, as they will promote rot.

The roots are very shallow, so try not bother the plants. Suffocate unwanted weeds with mulch. This also helps lower soil temperatures.

To eliminate pests, using covers.

To encourage the growth of a second head after harvesting, maintain an active feeding and watering schedule.

If at the bottom, then at the top, the leaves turn yellow, add the blood meal.

How to Harvest Broccoli

Harvest broccoli in the early hours of the day, just before the heads flower or bloom, when the broccoli heads are firm and tight.

Whenever you see yellow petals, harvest promptly as the quality will be quickly diminishing.

Cut the plant heads and take at least 6 inches of stem. Cut the stem in a slant to allow water to slide away. (The middle of a flat-cut stalk may be rotated, passing through the secondary heads.)

Some forms have side shoots that grow after the main head is harvested.

For several weeks, often from spring to fall, you can harvest from one plant if your summer is not too dry.

How to Store Broccoli

Place broccoli in the fridge for a period of 5 days.

If you wash, be sure to dry it thoroughly before storing.

Broccoli may be frozen if blanched for up to one year.

Print Recipe

Broccoli Egg Bake

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time25 mins

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American, French

Keyword: Broccoli Egg Bake, Egg bake

Servings: 6 People

Author: Hazel

Ingredients

1 10 oz. broccoli spears
1 beaten egg
1 10 3/4 oz. can condense cream of onion soup
1 tsp. dried parsley flakes
1/4 tsp. dried tarragon crushed
Dash of pepper
1 pkg. refrigerated flaky dinner rolls 6
1/4 c. milk
1/4 c. finely chopped celery

Instructions

Cook broccoli according to package directions just until tender; drain well.
Combine egg, half of the soup, then celery, parsley, tarragon, and pepper.
Separate dinner rolls. Snip each in quarters.
Stir dinner rolls into soup mixture.
Arrange broccoli spears crosswise in a 10 x 6 x 3-inch baking dish.
Spoon soup mixture down center of broccoli.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until rolls is golden brown.
In saucepan combine remaining soup and milk.
Heat through and serve over baked casserole.

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