🌱 How to Grow Broccoli from Seeds

Common Names:

• Hindi: ब्रोकोली

• Tamil: ப்ரோக்கொலி

• Telugu: బ్రోకోలీ

• Malayalam: ബ്രോകോളി

• Kannada: ಬ್ರೊಕೊಲಿ

• English: Broccoli

• Botanical name: Brassica oleracea (var. italica)

1. Choose the Right Season

• Cool-season vegetable

• Best time to sow:

  • North India: Aug–Nov

  • South India (mild winters): Sep–Jan

• Ideal temperature: 15°C to 25°C

• Avoid high heat — causes bolting (premature flowering)

2. Prepare the Soil

• Soil Type: Loose, fertile, and well-drained

• pH Level: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.0)

• Enrich with organic compost or well-rotted manure

• Add wood ash or lime if soil is too acidic

3. Sow the Seeds

• Depth: Sow seeds about ½ inch (1.2 cm) deep

• Spacing:

  • In garden: Leave 18–24 inches between plants

  • In containers: Use 12–14 inch pots, sow 2–3 seeds, thin to strongest seedling

• Water gently after sowing

4. Watering

• Keep soil consistently moist

• Water 2–3 times a week, especially in dry conditions

• Avoid waterlogging — roots may rot

5. Germination

• Seeds germinate in 5–10 days

• Transplant when seedlings are 4–6 inches tall and have 4 true leaves

• Harden seedlings by gradually exposing to sunlight before transplanting

6. Sunlight & Temperature

• Needs 6 hours of sunlight daily

• Prefers temperatures 15°C to 25°C

• Provide shade in hot climates to avoid stress

7. Fertilization

• After 3–4 weeks, feed with:

  • Organic compost or vermicompost

  • During head formation: Use low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus fertilizer

  • Bone meal or banana peel compost is beneficial

8. Pest Control

• Common pests: Cabbage worms, aphids, cutworms

• Spray neem oil + soap solution every 10–15 days

• Use netting or row covers to protect young plants

• Remove pests manually when visible

9. Harvesting

• Ready to harvest in 60–90 days from sowing

• Harvest when main head is compact and green (before flowering)

• Cut the central head with 5–6 inches of stem

• Side shoots will continue producing smaller heads for 2–3 weeks

10. Regrow Tip

• After main harvest, leave plant in soil to allow side heads to grow

• Save seeds from a few mature plants — allow them to flower and dry fully before collecting

🥦 Health Benefits of Broccoli

• Rich in Vitamin C, K, and folate

• High in fiber and antioxidants

• Supports immune health, bone strength, and digestion

• Known for its anti-cancer properties