How to Grow Broccoli From Seed
Broccoli is probably my very favourite vegetable of all. Naturally, when it comes to growing vegetables, our broccoli plants tend to take up a fair amount of “real estate” in our garden (especially given that they grow quite large).
But it’s totally worth it to have fresh broccoli at the height of summer, another crop that lasts well into the fall, a few freezer bags full to last the year and, as an added bonus, we eat the broccoli leaves too! And of course, whatever’s left over goes into the compost.
No part of our broccoli plants go to waste, and every year we grow more and more. In fact, broccoli was one of the first vegetables we ever grew at home in our very first garden, and we’ve grown it every year since.
We’ve also been lucky enough to have always had success growing broccoli and we’ve actually found it to be one of the easier plants to grow from seed. But I’ve heard enough other people say that they’ve struggled with growing broccoli to know that it can be a bit finicky. So I figured it would be a great candidate for our seed starting series!
The first head of broccoli I ever grew and harvested myself!
Be sure to check out part one of this year’s seed starting series too!
——> How to Grow Tomatoes From Seed
Alright, let’s dive in…
How to Start Broccoli Seeds Indoors
The Basics:
- For a summer crop, start broccoli seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your average last frost date.
- For a fall crop, start broccoli seeds indoors in late May or early June for a September or October harvest.
- Sow seeds ⅛ of an inch to ¼ of an inch deep.
- Seeds should germinate in about 5 to 10 days.
- Plant one seed per pot or to guarantee better germination, plant 2 or 3 seeds per pot and thin the seedlings out to just one per pot as they start to grow.
- Keep soil watered evenly but not sopping wet.
- Use indoor grow lights if possible to give broccoli seedlings lots of light and keep them from getting tall and “leggy” (aka. spindly).
The Details:
Broccoli is a great summer or fall crop. Since it’s cold hardy, it will last in the garden well into October in most climates. That being said, you’ll need to start seeds at different times in order to get a harvest at different times.
For a summer crop, start broccoli seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before your last frost date. For a fall crop, start indoors in late May or early June for a September or October harvest.
Sow seeds ⅛ inch to ¼ inch deep. The general rule is to sow seeds about 2x deeper than the seeds are large. Since broccoli seeds are pretty tiny, they should be sown pretty shallow. But make sure they’re covered with soil. You can sow one seed per pot or sow multiple seeds for better germination rates. Two or three seeds per pot should ensure good germination. But you’ll have to thin seedlings out to one per pot when they begin to grow. We use these peat pots to start our seeds. These are great because they biodegrade in the soil so you don’t have to disturb plant roots by taking the seedlings out of the pots to transplant them.
Keep the soil moist at all times but don’t overwater. You’ll also want to keep your broccoli seedlings under grow lights as they require lots of light to grow strong and healthy. Try to keep the lights hanging just a few inches above the seedlings. If the lights are too far away (or if you keep your seedlings by a window and they need to stretch to reach the light), your broccoli seedlings could end up shooting up quite tall and getting long and spindly. Try to avoid this by growing them under grow lights. You can purchase grow lights from the store or make your own indoor grow light stand.
When it comes to starting broccoli from seed, you can technically direct sow seeds right into your garden if you live in a warmer climate. But germination and survival rates tend to be much better when seeds are started indoors and growing conditions are monitored and controlled for the first few weeks. I have a hunch this may be why some people struggle with growing broccoli.
We tried starting our fall crop outdoors last year and didn’t have any seeds germinate! The soil kept drying out too quickly and the temperature fluctuated a bit much from day to night. I don’t know for sure, but I think this may have been why we struggled with that particular crop. We’ve always had success starting seeds indoors though, and that’s the generally recommended “best practice” when it comes to growing broccoli from seed.
Related: 8 Things to Think About Before Starting Seeds
Transplanting Broccoli Seedlings Outdoors
The Basics:
- Transplant broccoli seedlings outdoors once they have 6 to 8 sets of true leaves.
- Harden them off for 3 or 4 days before transplanting them permanently into the garden.
- Do not plant in the same area where you grew broccoli or any other brassicas last season. If possible, plant broccoli where you grew peas or beans last season as the soil will have more nitrogen from the peas and beans which will help broccoli grow strong and healthy.
- For best results, fertilize the soil before planting with composted manure or organic fertilizer.
- Plant seedlings 18-24” apart (45-60cm apart) in rows 30-36” apart (75-90cm apart).
The Details:
Wait to transplant broccoli outdoors until each plant has roughly 6 to 8 sets of true leaves. Harden them off over the course of about 3 or 4 days by putting seedlings outdoors for a couple hours and then bringing them back inside, then put them out for a little longer the next day and bring them back in, then put them out and leave them out in their pots overnight before transplanting them into the garden.
This is how we always harden our plants off and I notice they get visibly larger and stronger (with thicker stems) over the course of those few days when we’re hardening them off.
Be sure not to plant broccoli in the sae spot as you planted any brassicas last season. Brassicas (ie. broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, kale, collard greens, etc.) are heavy feeders, which means they tend to deplete the soil of nutrients. So don’t plant them in the same spot as you planted them the previous season because the soil won’t be as rich and healthy as it should be to grow strong healthy broccoli plants.
If possible, try to rotate them to a spot where you grew either peas or beans the previous season, or where you previously planted a cover crop of legumes like clover. Legumes actually add nitrogen back into the soil which helps improve the nutrient content.
Still, you should add some organic fertilizer to give your broccoli the best chance. Before planting, spread some composted manure or simply some compost, or add some fertilizer to the soil where you’ll be planting. Add about ¼ cup of organic fertilizer to each planting area and mix well into the top soil.
Plant seedlings about 18-24” apart in rows about 30-36” apart. Full grown broccoli plants grow quite large and their leaves need room to spread out, so be sure to give them enough space. Make sure their roots are below the soil and then mound a little extra soil around the base of each plant to keep them well supported.
Caring for Broccoli Plants
The Basics:
- Grow broccoli in a location with full sun. While they are cold-hardy, they love the sun and don’t do well in the shade.
- Keep soil evenly watered but don’t let the soil become sopping wet. Make sure to plant in a well-drained area. The top 6 inches or so of the soil should be kept moist at all times (as much as possible anyway).
- Fertilize again about a month after planting. Simply spread a little rotted compost or manure or some store-bought organic fertilizer on the soil around your plants and water it in.
- Harvest broccoli heads once they have fully developed but the buds are still closed tight. Cut the head off with about 5 or 6 inches of the stem too.
- Leave the plants in the ground after you’ve removed the heads. The plants will produce offshoots of little broccoli heads giving you an extra harvest. You can also harvest and eat the leaves!
- Once you’ve harvested all your broccoli and it’s finished for the season, pull plants out by the root, mulch up and compost. Add some compost to the area to add nutrients back into the soil before planting anything else.
The Details:
Broccoli is a bit of a dichotomy. It’s a cold-hardy plant that thrives in cooler temperatures but it’s also a sun-loving plant that hates shade. Plant seedlings in a location that gets full sun.
Make sure to water daily to keep at least the top 6 inches of the soil constantly moist. Try to water in the early morning or evening to keep the water from evaporating too quickly (as it tends to do midday in the summer).
To encourage strong, healthy growth, fertilize again about a month after planting by spreading some rotted compost or manure over the soil and watering it in. Do not mix it into the soil ad you could break or disrupt the roots.
Harvest broccoli heads when they are full grown but the buds are still tightly closed. If they’ve begun to open up, the broccoli is still edible but not quite as good. Once the broccoli begins to flower though, it’s too late. Keep an eye on broccoli plants in the middle of summer because they tend to bolt and go to seed quickly if you get a heat wave. Try to stay on top of them and harvest before this happens.
Once you’ve harvested the main head, leave the plants in the ground and continue watering for a couple more weeks. Removing the head encourages the plants to grow offshoots (little miniature heads of broccoli that grow off the sides of the main stem) which means an extra harvest for you!
Also, don’t waste the leaves! Broccoli leaves are edible too and taste just like broccoli but are more like kale or collard greens in nature. Add them to soups, stews and stir fries or make some Cream of Broccoli Leaf Soup!
Pull plants out by their roots, mulch them up and add to your compost once you’ve harvested all you can from them. Then add some finished compost or fertilizer to the area where they were planted to add nutrients back into the soil.
For a quick reference guide, don’t forget to grab your FREE Seed Starting Cheat Sheet. It includes at-a-glance info on exactly when and how to start 10 common garden vegetables from seed.
>> Download your Seed Starting Cheat Sheet now!
Wishing you homemade, homegrown, homestead happiness 🙂
CATEGORIES
1 Comment
Submit a Comment
ABOUT ANNA
You Might Also Like
How to Use a Rocket Mass Heater to Cook & Heat Off-Grid
* This article contains affiliate links. For more information, please read my Affiliate Disclosure. Learn how to heat and cook off-grid with a rocket mass heater, and why this is an even more energy-efficient solution than a traditional wood stove! This is a...
My Favourite Things – 2022 Edition (aka. The Modern Homesteader’s Christmas Wish List)
* This article contains affiliate links. For more information, please read my Affiliate Disclosure. Every year around this time, I compile a list of my favourite things: Things that I love, use or covet for my own homestead, and things that I know other modern...
If you haven't checked-in lately, the last week or so, we've sorta been in the trenches of homesteading and life over here. While some make it out to be glamorous all the time there are high's and low's just as there are in life.
With all that's going on, I've been making a point to find my way back into the garden, which is not only needed to feed my family, but also for some personal spiritual nourishment.
I just want to take a minute to love on my favorite veggie today, Broccoli! 🥦 It's one we plant over-and-over and I'm leaning into its abundance this year.
Not only is it one of my favorites, but we've also found it's one of the easiest veggies to grow so if you haven't tried it or added it to your garden yet, there's no better time than the present.
I've got an entire post on How to Grow Broccoli from Seed here: https://thehouseandhomestead.com/how-to-grow-broccoli-from-seed/ if you're looking for any tips or tricks.
In my "How to" post you'll also find a link to one of my favorite recipes for Cream of Broccoli Leaf Soup!
Can I be honest?
Sometimes you've gotta take a step back and look at the life you've created for yourself and ask yourself "is this truly what I want?"
The other day I shared about losing two of our rabbits this week to Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease. The stress of losing them comes amidst a backdrop of heightened tensions around here...
From work pressures for Ryan to me trying to run a business and handle a very fussy, colicky 2-month-old (and a very busy 6-year-old), to things ramping up in the garden again and all of the other million things that need to get done (including multiple loads of laundry a day thanks to more spit up than I ever knew a baby was capable of producing), I finally felt like I was ready to crack this week.
Oh, not to mention we're doing this all on next to no sleep thanks again to our sweet boy.
I know this is all part of what we signed up for, but when it all happens at once, it can feel completely overwhelming. And when I'm completely overwhelmed and stressed out, that's exactly when I get sick too, which is exactly what happened a couple days ago.
Then yesterday (Saturday) I woke up feeling awful and decided to scroll Instagam as I nursed Noah. I saw other mothers with 6, 8 or even 10 kids somehow keeping it all together getting three square meals on the table every day while managing to keep a tidy kitchen and find time to Instagram about it.
I saw other homestead bloggers reaching new levels of success in their business that I can only dream about right now. And as I sat there in bed, covered in spit up with a ravenous baby nursing off me as I tried to console him, I felt sad for myself in that moment that I couldn't live up to the folks I was comparing myself to.
Later in the day I had to work, so Ryan took the kids to the beach and I stayed home. And I felt sad once again; Sad that I was missing out on yet another weekend with my family because I had created a life where I now have to work weekends just to keep up.
But the silver lining was that the work I had to do yesterday forced me out into the garden, and it was probably the most soothing thing I could have done for my soul.
(Continued in comments…)
Sometime homesteading looks like homegrown vegetables and freshly laid eggs and sourdough rising on the counter.
And sometimes it looks like tears when you have to bury one of your animals 😔
Ryan went out to feed the bunnies yesterday and Flopsy -our little black and white bunny- was laying dead in the pen. There was no blood, other than a little bit by her mouth. Seems like something internal happened. We’re not sure what.
Evelyn helped lay her to rest yesterday. It was a hard weekend for her. First she stayed with grandma and went with her to put her sick, 17-year-old cat down. Then she came home to the news that Flopsy was gone.
But I believe she’s more resilient because of it. We talked to her about how death is a part of all life, and allowed her to go through the stages of grief and process it however she felt she needed to.
Homesteading isn’t always sunshine and rainbows and snuggly barnyard animals. Homesteading teaches us hard lessons and helps us to become stronger and more resilient by challenging us daily.
Yesterday was a sad, hard day. But I’m glad we got to experience it together as a family.
A few years ago, Forbes published an article titled Dear Homesteaders, Self-Reliance is a Delusion.
Let’s unpack this…
What does self-reliant really mean? Is it actually achievable, or just a pipe dream?
Over on the blog today I'm unpacking all of these thoughts, and the things I do know for sure as a homesteader, mother and member of a strong and self-reliant community.
But I really want to hear from you! Post in the comments below what self-reliance means in modern times, or what steps you're taking to be more self-reliant.
Read the full article here: https://thehouseandhomestead.com/what-is-self-reliance/ or at the link in my bio
The spring issue of Modern Homesteading Magazine is out now!
It’s that time again...
The time when things begin ramping up in the garden, the barnyard and the home.
From trays of seedlings to baskets full of eggs, spring is in the air and I don’t know about you, but I’m here for it!
It’s also time for a brand new issue of Modern Homesteading Magazine, and boy do we have a good one for you…
In the spring issue, we cover a diverse range of topics from how to trade your skills for land to the realities of going off-grid, from seed-starting to what to do with too many eggs, and from the simple joys of a homemade herbal cocktail to the sometimes heavy emotional toll of raising meat animals.
In this issue, you’ll find:
🌱 What it really takes to live off-grid, with Tammy Trayer of Trayer Wilderness
🌱How you can trade your skills for a piece of land with the SKIP program from the folks at Permies.com
🌱 Everything you need to know about seed-starting to set your garden up for success and abundance!
🌱 What to do with too many eggs! Author Mimi Dvorak-Smith shares 800+ ways to use ‘em up when your hens start laying.
🌱 How to make your own healthier cocktails with homemade botanical syrups
🌱 Dealing with the emotional toll of raising meat animals on the homestead
Visit modernhomesteadingmagazine.com to login to the library and read the spring issue (current subscribers) or subscribe for just $19.99/year to read this issue and gain instant access to our entire library of past issues!
#modernhomesteading #homesteading #selfsufficiency #springonthehomestead
If you grow plants from seed (or if you want to), you’re likely going to want to start a few of them indoors. And if you start your seeds indoors, something that will make your life so much easier (and make your seedlings bigger, stronger and healthier) is an indoor growing stand with grow lights.
I've got a post I'm sharing with you today that will walk you through choosing the best type of lighting for whatever you're growing and then a step-by-step guide of how to make your grow stand, along with product recommendations if you want to make yours just like mine!
Ours can accommodate up to about 200 seedlings, but you can make yours as small or big as needed:)
You can check out the post here https://thehouseandhomestead.com/how-to-build-indoor-growing-stand/ or at the link in my bio.
Let me know in the comments what you're growing new, or what you're most excited about in your planting journey this year!
Theme of the Month: ADIDAS
No, not the textiles brand, it stands for: 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗜 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 because it's officially March and we are in full swing around here!
Before you just start throwing seeds in the ground or into red solo cups on your windowsill, it’s important to take some time to read your seed packets and get to know each crop’s specific needs.
Understanding the information on a seed packet is super important when it comes to gardening, especially if you want your plants to get a strong, healthy start and produce an abundance of food for you. And what gardener doesn’t want that?!
Set yourself up for success and take a minute to read through my 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥 & 𝘜𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘗𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘎𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦, before your weekend gardening plans begin.
Grab the guide link in my bio, or get it here: https://thehouseandhomestead.com/how-to-read-seed-packets/
Happy Planting:) ✨
This all-natural homemade toothpaste recipe is made with just four simple ingredients that are good for both your body and your bank account!
I’m on a personal mission to replace every commercially-made, toxic product in our home with homemade, all-natural alternatives. One-by-one, I’m getting closer every day.
The benefit of making all-natural toothpaste at home is avoiding the unhealthy additives found in most commercial toothpastes by substituting ingredients with proven benefits for oral health.
So if you’re also on a mission to rid your own home of toxic products and replace them with healthy, all-natural versions that actually work, then I highly recommend whipping up a batch of this all-natural homemade toothpaste.
Wishing you health, wealth and squeaky clean teeth… The all-natural way;)
You can find the recipe here https://thehouseandhomestead.com/all-natural-homemade-toothpaste-recipe/ or at the link in my bio.
It's that time of year 🌱 seed starting season!
I know you can feel it too. The transition from winter to spring is truly a special time. It’s when life begins again. It’s the very first taste of all that lies ahead.
So before you go just planting any and every seed you can get your hands on, I've got a list of 8 Things to Think About Before Starting Seeds, to get you off on the right food!
I will walk you through, planning, sowing, containers, watering, lighting and more, and if that's not enough you can download my Seed Starting Cheat Sheet at the end to lay it all out.
I hope you're as excited as I am for the beautiful Spring season that lies ahead:)
You can find the list here https://thehouseandhomestead.com/before-starting-seeds/ or at the link in my bio.
What are you planting this year? Anything new you've never tried before? Share with me in the comments!
Ever thought about growing mushrooms at home??
A great EASY way to get started is with one of these mushroom grow kits from @northsporemushrooms
All you need to do is cut open the pack, spray with a little water (the kits even come with a handy little spray bottle), and then sit back and watch the magic happen!
And seriously, watching mushrooms goes does feel a little like magic because they grow so fast you can practically see them growing, no time lapse necessary!
The mushrooms are ready for harvest in just a few days. No gardening experience or land necessary! Even a newbie homesteader in an apartment in the city can grow these babies!
This is a great way to dip your tow into the much bigger world of mushroom growing and harvesting, and to try out a few new varieties that you probably won’t find anywhere else.
I grew Pink Oyster Mushrooms, Lion’s Mane and Blue Oyster Mushrooms (all pictured here). I’ll be using the Pink Oyster Mushrooms in a rigatoni pasta for dinner tonight. I turned the Lion’s Mane into Lion’s Mane “crab cakes” and the Blue Oyster Mushrooms are delicious as part of a stir fry or sautéed in butter and spooned over sourdough toast.
If this reel intrigues you, you can grab your own mushroom grow kit (along with time of other mushroom related products, including fruiting blocks, outdoor log kits, medicinal tinctures, capsules and more) at northspore.com. Use code HOUSEANDHOMESTEAD for 10% off your order!
And if you haven’t yet, be sure to check out my interview with Louis Giller of North Spore Mushrooms in the winter issue of Modern Homesteading Magazine. You can also find my recipe for Lion’s Mane “Crab Cakes,” along with other delicious mushroom recipes and an in-depth feature on medicinal mushrooms including Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Chaga and Cordyceps in the winter issue.
Visit modernhomesteadingmagazine.com to subscribe or login to the library and read the current issue.
Mushrooms really are pure magic, don’t ya think? 🍄 ✨
#mushrooms #mushroomhead #shrooming #eatyourshrooms #mushroomsaremagic #modernhomesteading #urbanhomesteading #homegrown
If you’ve been following me for any length of time, it probably comes as no surprise that I don’t exactly love relying on the grocery store to provide for me and my family, and that sentiment is only getting stronger as time goes on.
Between supply chain issues, rising food costs and the plethora of unhealthy ingredients, chemicals and GMO foods on grocery store shelves, I’d rather toil in the garden and kitchen all year to grow and preserve my own food than have to rely 100% on grocery stores to provide for me.
But that being said, we are in no way 100% self-sufficient so when I do go to the grocery story, I haveI have some ingredient guidelines in mind that I use when shopping for my family.
Check out my shopping tips, what I do and don't buy, and where and who I like to buy from here at this link https://thehouseandhomestead.com/healthy-grocery-shopping-tips/ or at the link in my bio.
Usually by late February/early March, right about nowish, I’ve pretty much had enough of winter and the thought of enjoying a tropical fruit platter and a cold adult beverage on a sunny beach in *insert tropical vacation destination here* seems to be just about all I can think about...
But with a newborn at home that's about the last thing on our to-do list right now! So this year, I will be visiting my tropical escape via my favorite Low-Sugar Mango Jam recipe.
If you do have tropical vacation plans, have a piña colada for me 🙏🏼, but if you don't then this recipe may be just what you need to "escape" for a few minutes into that tropical paradise:) 🥭🍹
Check out the recipe here https://thehouseandhomestead.com/low-sugar-mango-jam-recipe/ or at the link in my bio.
Let me know how the recipe works for you, and if add in any additional fruits to change it up!
I’m interested to know how you came across it 🙂