Fir0002 / GFDL 1.2
Broccoli
Brassica oleracea var. italica
Overview
A member of the brassica family bred from wild cabbage on the Mediterranean coast, broccoli was refined by Italian gardeners over centuries before becoming a worldwide staple. Each head is actually a cluster of hundreds of unopened flower buds, and many varieties produce side shoots for weeks after the main head is cut. It is among the most nutrient-dense vegetables available.
Growing Conditions
How to Grow Broccoli
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) is an annual forb/herb that grows to about 2.5 feet tall and 2 feet wide.
To grow broccoli, give it full sun. It is hardy across USDA hardiness zones 3–10. Plant it in rich, moist, well-drained soil with plenty of compost, at a slightly acidic pH of 6–7. It does best with even, moderate watering.
Exact sowing, transplanting, and harvest months shift by climate zone — the planting calendar below lays them out for cool through hot regions. Its flowers appear from February through September, offering moderate value to pollinators. One season is all it asks — sow it, tend it, and let it go.
Companion Planting & Soil
Broccoli grows well alongside onion, garlic, celery, dill, chamomile, and rosemary — but keep it clear of strawberry, tomato, and pepper.
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (1-2) | Start Indoors | Mar — Apr | Start 6-8 weeks before last frost |
| Cold (1-2) | Transplant | May — Jun | Transplant 2 weeks before last frost |
| Cold (1-2) | Harvest | Jul — Aug | Cut main head; side shoots continue 4-6 weeks |
| Cool (3-4) | Start Indoors | Feb — Mar | Start 6-8 weeks before last frost |
| Cool (3-4) | Transplant | Apr — May | Transplant 2 weeks before last frost |
| Cool (3-4) | Harvest | Jun — Jul | Cut main head; harvest side shoots |
| Moderate (5-7) | Start Indoors | Jan — Feb | Start 6-8 weeks before last frost |
| Moderate (5-7) | Transplant | Mar — Apr | Transplant in early spring |
| Moderate (5-7) | Harvest | May — Jun | Harvest before flowers open |
| Warm (8-9) | Transplant | Jan — Feb | Spring crop; transplant in winter |
| Warm (8-9) | Transplant | Sep — Oct | Fall crop |
| Warm (8-9) | Harvest | Mar — Apr | Harvest before heat; also Nov-Dec for fall crop |
| Hot (10+) | Transplant | Oct — Nov | Cool-season only |
| Hot (10+) | Harvest | Dec — Feb (wraps) | Winter harvest |
Uses
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, broccoli turns up in more than one form: steamed, roasted, or stir-fried as a side dish; raw with dip or in salads and slaws; pureed into soups and sauces.
Medicinal & Folk Use
In herbal and folk tradition, it has been valued in several ways: rich in sulforaphane, a potent anti-cancer compound; high in vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate; fiber and chromium support blood sugar regulation. These are traditional uses, not medical advice.
Beyond the Garden
Broccoli earns its keep past the plate, too: flowers attract beneficial insects if left to bolt.
