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Broccoli

Brassica oleracea var. italica

VegetablesFrost Hardy

Cool-season brassica producing dense green heads. After the main head is cut, side shoots continue producing smaller florets.

Overview

SunFull Sun
WaterMediumCalculate watering amount
Height40–70 cm
Spread45 cm
Spacing45 cm
Row Spacing60 cm
Germination5–10 days
To Harvest50–80 days

Companion Planting

Bad Companions

StrawberryTomato

Toxicity

SeverityNon-toxic

Safe for humans, dogs, and cats. In pets, large quantities (over 10% of daily intake) may cause mild gastrointestinal upset due to isothiocyanates in the florets.

Planting Tips

LocationFull sun with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight and good air circulation.
SoilRich, well-drained soil amended with compost; prefers a pH of 6.0-7.0.
Sowing Depth1 cm
Planting Depth5 cm
WateringWater deeply once or twice per week to provide at least 2.5 cm of moisture; keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

1 cm of water per m² equals 10 liters. Use the Watering Calculator for exact amounts.

FertilizingHeavy feeder — side-dress with a balanced fertilizer (e.g. 5-10-15) every 3-4 weeks during the growing season.

Care Tip: Space transplants 45-60 cm apart; use mulch to retain moisture and keep roots cool in warm weather.

Common Pests

Aphids

Symptoms: Clusters of tiny green or gray insects on stems and leaf undersides; leaves curl, yellow, and plants become stunted.

Treatment: Dislodge with a strong water spray; apply insecticidal soap if infestations persist.

Prevention: Remove plant debris in fall, attract beneficial insects with companion plantings like sweet alyssum, and use reflective mulch.

Cabbage Worms

Symptoms: Irregular holes chewed through leaves; small green caterpillars visible on foliage and heads.

Treatment: Handpick caterpillars regularly; apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spray for heavy infestations.

Prevention: Cover plants with floating row covers to exclude the adult cabbage white butterflies; rotate crops annually.

Flea Beetles

Symptoms: Numerous tiny round holes ('shot-holes') in leaves, especially on young seedlings, leading to wilting and stunted growth.

Treatment: Use insect-proof mesh or row covers; encourage natural predators such as ground beetles and birds.

Prevention: Transplant rather than direct-sow to give plants a size advantage; practice 3-year crop rotation and remove overwintering debris.

Common Diseases

Clubroot

Symptoms: Swollen, misshapen roots (club-shaped galls); leaves wilt during warm days but recover at night, eventually yellowing.

Treatment: No chemical cure — remove and destroy infected plants; raise soil pH to 7.2+ with lime to suppress the pathogen.

Prevention: Use resistant cultivars, practice a 6-year crop rotation for brassicas, and avoid moving contaminated soil between beds.

Downy Mildew

Symptoms: Yellow or brown angular lesions on upper leaf surfaces with fluffy white-gray fungal growth on the undersides.

Treatment: Remove and destroy affected leaves promptly; apply a copper-based fungicide if the disease spreads.

Prevention: Ensure good air circulation by proper spacing (45-60 cm), water at soil level in the morning, and rotate brassica beds every 2-3 years.

Black Rot

Symptoms: V-shaped yellow-brown lesions starting at leaf margins, progressing inward; leaf veins darken and leaves wither.

Treatment: Remove and destroy infected plants immediately; no effective chemical treatment once established.

Prevention: Use certified disease-free seed and transplants, avoid overhead watering, rotate crops for at least 2-3 years, and sanitize garden tools.