How to grow broccoli cabbage at home?

Broccoli is recommended by many nutritionists. This Mediterranean culture can grow not only at home, but also in the garden, especially since it is incredibly useful - it contains many minerals and vitamins.

How to grow broccoli. Planting and grooming secrets

Features of broccoli cabbage

This culture is known primarily for its anti-cancer and dietary properties, in addition, it stimulates the process of blood formation. Broccoli is especially beneficial for those suffering from diabetes or heart disease, and because of the high fiber and folic acid content, cabbage is also recommended for pregnant women.

Broccoli cabbage - useful properties

Nutritional value and chemical composition

Note! It is believed that even a "lazy" summer resident is able to grow broccoli. The culture is easy to care for, as you yourself will see by reading the instructions and recommendations given in the article. But first, we advise you to find out what the plant is.

Broccoli is a cruciferous crop with stems that can reach 0.8-0.9 m in height. At the top of the stems, many buds are formed - they are edible. Outwardly, the culture resembles cauliflower, but compares favorably with it in that it forms several heads at once.

Growing broccoli in the garden

There are two types of broccoli, consider them.

1. Asparagus... It has a large number of heads of cabbage on thin stems. Edible in this case are just the stems, which are very similar to asparagus (hence the name). Inflorescences can be both green and purple.
2. Calabrian... A fairly large head of cabbage, located on a massive stem. Very similar to cauliflower, only the inflorescences are green. Although there are varieties with white inflorescences.

Types of broccoli cabbage

Broccoli Romanesco

The described culture is considered one of the most unpretentious representatives of the family. She should not be shaded because she loves light. Moreover, too small heads can form due to shading. The acidity of the soil should be between 6.7 and 7.4 pH. Potatoes, onions, pumpkins, carrots, cucumbers, legumes and cereals can act as a plant's predecessor.

Express analysis of soil acidity

Note! If cabbage grew on the site, then over the next four years other plants need to be grown there.

The process of growing broccoli, as already noted, is extremely simple. The culture can be grown even on the windowsill, although this is not what we are talking about now. Today you will learn how to grow broccoli in your vegetable garden.

Stage one. Seed preparation

Sift the dried seeds, leaving only the largest of them for planting. The seed treatment procedure consists of several stages, let's get acquainted with them.

Preparing seeds for planting

Step 1... First, immerse the seeds in water, the temperature of which is about 50 degrees, for 20 minutes, then in cold water, but for a minute.

Step 2. Submerge the seeds in solutions that contain beneficial trace minerals. In parallel, this will serve as additional protection against various infections. First of all, prepare a solution of potassium permanganate (1 g) and boric acid (0.5 g) by mixing the components with 1 liter of water. Then insist the seeds in the resulting product for 12 hours.

Preparing a solution for soaking seeds

After that, immerse them in another solution prepared in advance (dilute 1 tablespoon of wood ash in 1 liter of water, then leave for 48 hours), and leave for another five to six hours.

Step 3. Rinse them with clean water.

Step 4. Refrigerate for 24 hours.

Step 5. Spread the seeds on a clean cloth to dry out slightly. Never overdry!

Step 6. Everything, now you can plant seeds.

This can be started already in March-April. As for the March seedlings, they need to be picked and planted in a greenhouse, after which - in open soil. You can immediately plant the April one in the garden without resorting to a greenhouse.

Sprouted seedlings

To obtain a harvest throughout the season, seeds for seedlings should be sown in two or three periods, the interval between which should be 12-15 days. Thanks to this, you will be able to harvest until the onset of autumn. In addition, in May, seeds can be planted seedlessly, that is, in open soil, but subject to warm weather.

In the photo, the process of planting seedlings in the ground

Stage two. Seedling

You can grow seedlings in a greenhouse or in small boxes. For this, boxes with a height of 25 cm and dimensions of 30x50 cm are suitable.

Wooden box for seedlings

Prepare the soil for seedlings as follows: mix sand with turf and peat in equal proportions, and scatter the resulting mixture into the boxes, after placing the drainage there.

The best soil for seedlings

It is also recommended to add a little wood ash to the soil to neutralize acidity and provide all the necessary trace elements.

In the photo, ash for adding to the soil

24 hours before sowing, water the soil with a solution of potassium permanganate to avoid the development of a disease called "black leg". But in the future, it is better not to use potassium permanganate - because of it, the acidity of the soil will increase, which will not "like" broccoli.

You can also use small pots for seedlings.

Seedlings in a honeycomb box

If boxes are nevertheless used, then for planting seeds, make furrows 1-1.5 cm deep in increments of about 3 cm.The distance between plants within one furrow should be at least 2.5 cm.After planting, maintain the temperature at 20 degrees, after emergence, reduce it to 15 degrees and maintain it at this level until the very transplant. Water seedlings sparingly, once every two days. Do not overmoisten the soil, because this, again, will lead to the development of a "black leg", while a moisture deficit is dangerous for a bad harvest.

"Blackleg"

Note! If the seedlings grow poorly, you can feed them with a solution of potassium chloride, superphosphate, and nitrate (20 g each for a bucket of water). It is important that feeding is carried out only after the second leaf is formed.

We carry out top dressing after the formation of the second leaf.

Stage three. Dive

Diving, as well as transplanting, the described culture does not tolerate well. Nevertheless, many gardeners still recommend diving broccoli and, if possible, planting it in the soil along with a clod of earth. In the greenhouse, diving can be carried out 14 days after seedling formation. But due to the fact that after picking the growth of crops slows down, the procedure can be performed immediately before transplanting.

Dive broccoli seedlings

You need to dive broccoli in two cases:

• if the seedlings are too thick;
• if the seedlings can already be transplanted, but the air temperature is less than 15 degrees (arrows may form with prolonged cooling).

When diving, the stems descend along the cotyledonous leaves. After 30-40 days, the seedlings can be planted.

Stage four. Transplanting

Prepare the beds in advance.

Preparing the beds

In the fall, carefully dig them up and add humus (one bucket per square meter) or fertilizers listed in the second stage (30-40 g each). If the acidity of the soil is increased, then liming before digging (as an option - you can do this in early spring, a few weeks before sowing). With the onset of spring, add compost (10 l / m2) to the beds.

Compost for soil fertilization

Note! Start the transplant in the afternoon, preferably in cloudy weather.

Table. Instructions for planting seedlings

Step 1	Start transplanting when the seedling height is 10-15 cm.
Step 2	Water the soil well, then start transplanting. You should first dig up and fertilize the garden as described above.
Step 3	Dig holes 8 cm deep with a distance of 30-60 cm. The soil should reach the level of the first leaves, but do not cover them. If we are talking about a miniature variety, then the distance between the pits can be up to 30 cm.
Step 4	Monitor soil temperature. Apply a mulch consisting of compost, bark and leaves to keep the soil cool. Pinch off the main root a little to form a good root system afterwards.
Step 5	After planting, thoroughly water the soil with water.

Seedless growing method

In this case, treat the soil in the same way as for seedlings. The seeds are prepared in the same way. Plant in damp and fertilized soil. When the second or third leaf appears, thin out the shoots, after which about 40 cm should remain between the plants.

Stage five. Care features

How to care for broccoli

Water the broccoli daily or every other day, preferably in the evening. Loosen the soil after watering. In hot weather, you can create partial shading, but humidification is more beneficial, so you can place large, low tanks of water next to the beds. In addition, spraying can be carried out using a spray bottle.

Plants may well grow with less watering (even weekly), but the heads in this case will be small, and their taste will be unusual. Various feeding are also useful, one of the possible schemes is given below.

First feeding. It is carried out six to seven days after disembarkation, although it is possible immediately.Urea solution should be used as fertilizer (2 tablespoons per bucket of water - this is enough for about 15 seedlings).

Urea for feeding broccoli

Second. Should be carried out two weeks later with manure diluted with water (1: 4). The resulting mixture is poured under the root.

Third... It is carried out when inflorescences begin to form. It is necessary to use a superphosphate solution (1 tablespoon per bucket of water - this is enough for about 15 plants).

In the photo, the preparation of a urea solution for feeding broccoli

Fourth... Top dressing is applied after the central head is cut.

After each fertilization, carry out hilling and loosening.

Hilling and loosening the soil after fertilization

Although if you cannot carry out four feedings, then nothing terrible will happen, since broccoli is more demanding on moisture than fertilizers.

Stage six. Protection from pests and diseases

Broccoli is quite resistant to these negative factors, and if you followed all the recommendations below, then you have already carried out prophylaxis against a number of diseases. Alternatively, you can use natural remedies. So, if you plant between celery plants, then protect the broccoli from the earthen flea. Dill, in turn, will protect against cabbage aphids, while peppermint will protect against cabbage.

Caterpillar - cabbage

In addition, you can spray the plants with a decoction of tomato tops (3 liters of water per 1 kg).

Tomato tops decoction - cooking

To combat the cruciferous flea, use chemical preparations (for example, "Iskra"), but at least 20 days before the inflorescences are tied.

Video - Features of growing broccoli

Stage seven. Fruit picking

Harvesting Broccoli

You will be able to harvest about three months after planting the seeds, however, the fruits from one plant can be removed throughout the season, since new shoots will grow after cutting.

In the photo there are yellow broccoli sprouts, but you cannot cut them off yet

Collect only green heads. If yellow flowers are observed, it means that the fruits are overripe and unsuitable for consumption.

1. Determine the moment of harvest by inflorescences: if they become loose, then the flowers will bloom the next day.
2. There are more nutrients in dense fruits, even if they need to be boiled longer.

Rules for cutting broccoli

Start harvesting early in the morning when the flowers are juicy. Early fruits can be frozen or stored for several days in the refrigerator, while autumn harvest is suitable for long-term storage in the cellar.

Video - Planting broccoli in the garden

The value and simplicity of broccoli asparagus were first learned by the inhabitants of Ancient Rome, when they first bred it through careful hybridization in the 6th-5th century BC. NS. For a long time, the outlandish vegetable did not leave the empire, until one day, several centuries later, the merchants brought the plant to Byzantium and further around the world.

Climatic conditions for broccoli

Broccoli has many advantages over its cousins. In terms of the content of vitamins and microelements, it is much superior to cauliflower. By its property to prevent the accumulation of cholesterol, it outperforms cabbage. In terms of yield, it can outshine all types of Chinese cabbage. And caring for this culture is completely uncomplicated.

Broccoli has many benefits over its cabbage cousins.

Unpretentious broccoli can grow in any climatic conditions: in the changeable weather in St. Petersburg, and in the hot Crimea, and in the temperate Black Earth Region, and in the foothills of the Caucasus.

Hybrid varieties are more adaptable and less demanding on care. But the choice of seeds should be given maximum attention, adjusting them both to your geoclimatic zone and to the desired ripening period.

Broccoli grows in any climatic conditions - it is only important to choose the right variety

There is a clear pattern in this direction:

• early ripening varieties have a productivity of up to 3 kg / m2 and a fruit weight ranging from 200 to 700 grams. This group includes: Macho, Naxos, Roni, Fiesta, Chronos, Junga, Venus, Vyarus, Green Magic, Corato, Moscow Souvenir. The growing season for this group is 60–80 days;
• broccoli of medium and late ripening yield from 3 to 5 kg / m2 and cabbage head from 600 grams to 2 kilograms. In this group, the following varieties of Dutch and French selection, which have entered the register of the Russian Federation in the last decade, can boast of excellent yields: Agassi, Ironman, Belstar, Beaumond, Quinta, Lord, Marathon, Monaco, Monopoli, Monterey, Montop, Orantes, Parthenon. The growing season is 80–110 days.

Photo gallery: early varieties of broccoli cabbage

Photo Gallery: Late to Mid Late Broccoli Varieties

Autumn preparation of the site for broccoli

After the varieties have been identified, it is necessary to plan the area for broccoli and prepare it in the fall. It should be an open, well-lit, non-swampy place. The precursors of broccoli can be cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and legumes.

The plot is dug up and fertilized with organic matter:

• manure or dung at the rate of 8 kg / m2;
• peat compost or humus at the rate of 12 kg / m2.

Broccoli does not like acidic soils, so the autumn preparation also involves deoxidizing the soil. Wood ash, slaked lime, chalk, dolomite flour are suitable as a deoxidizer. In specialized stores, ready-made compositions of deoxidizers are often sold under the names: Limestone flour, Agromel, Soil Improver. As for mineral fertilizers, they are applied in the spring.

The soil intended for broccoli must be deoxidized with wood ash or other preparations.

Growing broccoli seedling and seedling methods

After the seeds are purchased, and the garden bed is prepared, we choose the method of growing broccoli: seedling or seedling.

The first one involves sowing seeds in open ground in May after the ground warms up to +5 ° C.

The second method involves planting cabbage in open ground using seedlings, which you can grow yourself or buy in a specialized store.

How to grow broccoli seedlings at home

If we choose an independent path, then by the beginning of March we stock up on the following inventory and materials:

• seeds of a suitable variety;
• garden peat soil from a store or harvested in autumn from a garden plot;
• spray gun for spraying;
• miniature shovel for laying the earth;
• potassium permanganate, Epin or Zircon;
• peat cells or miniature planting pots.

Photo gallery: self-growing broccoli seedlings

Dates of sowing seeds for seedlings

Each grower chooses the time of sowing seeds for himself, but in general it can last from late February to mid-April. The climate of the region, and the variety of broccoli, and even the illumination on the windowsill are taken into account - the lower it is, the longer it will take to get high-quality seedlings. And it is even possible that you will have to stock up on fluorescent lamps and install them directly above the trays with the ground.

The timing of sowing seeds depends on the variety of broccoli, and on the climate in the region, and on the light on the windowsill.

Seeds germination and their technical readiness for planting in the ground take 35–40 days. It is on this period of time that you should be guided when choosing the exact timing for sowing.

Seed and soil treatment before sowing

Before sowing, the seeds are soaked for 2 hours in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Industrial preparations Epin or Zircon are also suitable, which will not only provide high-quality disinfection of seed material, but also increase its germination and germination energy. With these growth accelerators, the penetration of water to the kernel through the strong seed coat will be 2.5 times more efficient and faster.The soaking temperature is assumed to be at room temperature - 20–23 ° C, and the time in each case is negotiated by the manufacturer himself and ranges from 5 to 24 hours.

As a disinfectant solution for seeds, Epin or Zircon preparations are suitable.

You can skip the step with seed treatment only if you are sure of the reliability of the company from which the material was purchased. As a rule, the manufacturer puts up for sale already disinfected and processed seed material according to all safety rules. If the seeds are collected on their own, then the procedure with soaking in a disinfectant solution is required.

The garden soil is also disinfected if it is collected on the site. To do this, it is scattered on a tray and heated to a temperature of 100–110 ° C in an oven or microwave. This procedure is carried out 10-12 days before the use of the soil - this is the time required to restore the soil microflora.

Sowing in peat cells or pots

While the seeds are swelling and gaining their strength, it is necessary to prepare the cells or pots.

We fill them with a ¾ volume of garden substrate and place the seeds in them, slightly dried after the soaking procedure. The embedding depth is 2–2.5 cm. Deeper is not recommended, otherwise the roots may be cramped during growth.

For example, I always put two seeds in one cell for safety net - in case the germination rate, despite the measures taken, is still low. As they grow, I remove the excess plants or transplant them into a separate vessel.

As a safety net, you can put 2-3 seeds in each cell, the shoots of which are subsequently removed if they are unnecessary

After planting the seeds, it is necessary to moisten the soil by sprinkling with a spray bottle. A strong pressure of water is not needed either when planting seeds or when watering young plants - it can wash off or break fragile stems. Mineral feeding is not required at this stage either. The main thing is to provide light, humidity and warmth. Light will be provided by the sun or a special lamp, and heat will be provided by the film that covers the container.

Video: sowing broccoli cabbage

Planting seedlings

The sprouts hatch for 5-7 days. After emergence, the film is removed, and the sprouts are quickly stretched out. As the plants develop, it is recommended to add soil to the remaining ¼ of the pot size, as if carrying out a small root hilling. This will promote the formation of lateral roots and the strengthening of the taproot. For hardening the seedlings, the temperature on the windowsill can be gradually reduced from + 25 ° C to 16–17 ° C. But at the same time, you need to constantly monitor the soil moisture.

After the emergence of shoots, the moisture-saving film is removed, and the growing shoots are gradually hardened

After the plant has 5-6 leaves, it can be transferred to open ground.

1. On a bed harvested in the fall, holes are made with a depth of 12-15 cm.
2. The seedling cells are moistened.
3. If the seedlings were grown in disposable peat pots, then you do not need to remove the seedlings from the containers.
4. A pot or one cell is installed in a hole, dripped in and carefully poured under the root with water with mineral fertilizers of the nitrogen-potassium-phosphorus series dissolved in it.
5. A layer of peat soil is poured on top of the moistened soil as mulch, which will reliably keep moisture in the near-root space.

The peat pot is installed in the prepared hole along with the seedling

The recommended distance between seedlings is 30–40 cm, in row spacing - 60–65 cm.

Sowing seeds in open ground

With the seedless method, we are not talking about seedlings. With the arrival of heat, which occurs differently in different regions, the seeds are planted directly into the soil by the nesting method on the prepared soil. The sowing period for broccoli cabbage is considered to be the time interval from the end of April to the beginning of June inclusive.

After sowing, it is advisable to cover the bed with a heat-saving and moisture-forming film.It will accelerate seed germination. But this action will take a little more time than when sowing in a warm home - about 10-12 days. With the amicable emergence of seedlings, the seedlings are thinned out, leaving first 2-3 strongest plants in the nest, and two weeks later - one.

Broccoli seeds are sown outdoors from late April to early June, and then covered with moisture-saving film

Care and feeding

There is nothing special about the further care of broccoli. Everything, like with other crops: morning or evening watering as needed, weeding with loosening, the introduction of mineral fertilizers.

It is recommended to use as the material for feeding necessary for the formation of the head:

• diluted mullein in a ratio of 1:10,
• urea at the rate of 30 grams per 10 liters of water,
• a mixture of calcium nitrate and boron, where saltpeter is 30, and boron is 20 grams per 10 liters of water,
• universal Kemiru Lux, where the entire composition of minerals is balanced.

The first feeding is carried out 2 weeks after planting the seedlings in open ground, the second - two weeks later, with the beginning of the formation of the head, the third - two weeks before its cutting.

Broccoli responds well to feeding with mullein, calcium nitrate, Kemira Universal

Watering with infusions of bitter pepper, tobacco, garlic, onions is also welcomed. All of these plants containing phytoncides will protect broccoli well from unwanted misfortunes. The pests and diseases in broccoli are the same as in cauliflower. Timely hardening, feeding, as well as non-acidic soil and optimal moisture will help keep the plant healthy until harvest.

Head cutting

Broccoli heads, unlike cauliflower, are not shaded. The sun promotes the manifestation of an elegant emerald color and rapid growth. That part of the plant, which we call the "head", in botanical terminology is called "inflorescence with buds". Cut the broccoli before blooming, along with part of the stem. It is at this stage that it is fit for consumption.

The head is cut off along with part of the stem, which is also edible

Inexperienced gardeners often miss this moment, believing that by postponing cutting the head, they contribute to its further growth and weight gain. This is a big misconception, because the mass of the head depends on the variety and on the growing conditions, and not on the duration of being on the bush. If you delay with a cut, then according to the laws of nature, the flower will bloom, and then it will tend to form an arrow with the subsequent ejection of seeds.

Broccoli should be cut before the flowers bloom if the head is for eating and not for seed production.

After cutting off the main head, broccoli can produce many small heads in the internodes. They are nutritious and edible too. Cutting is best done early in the morning or late in the evening - this way you can protect the heads from premature wilting.

Seeds from your garden

Now let's simulate the situation. Let's say I like a variety of broccoli I have grown and I want seeds from it. Can I get them using my garden and normal home conditions? Quite. To do this, proceed according to the following table.

Table: Working with peduncles to obtain broccoli cabbage seeds

If broccoli begins to bloom, the time for cutting it has been missed.

Of course, with such harvesting of seeds, there is a possibility of cross-pollination of broccoli with crops that grow with it, especially if they are from the same family. Therefore, if there is a goal to grow cabbage for seeds, it is necessary to weed it thoroughly throughout the growing season, thereby reducing the risk of contact and cross-pollination with other varieties or weeds of the cruciferous genus.

There is no point in collecting seeds from broccoli that grew among weeds - their genetic code will be disrupted

Broccoli is not a capricious crop.Even with minimal care, it will certainly give a head, albeit a little smaller than it is determined by its genetic code, but just as full of vitamins as a plant with a full range of vegetative care. That is why the green beauty is a welcome guest on the summer cottages of both beginners and advanced gardeners. Go for it - and you will succeed!

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Not every gardener knows about such a variety of cabbage as broccoli, although in many countries this culture is widely used in cooking. Almost everyone can grow it on their site, taking into account the peculiarities and observing agrotechnical methods. Broccoli can be cultivated by seed or seedlings. Planting timing and variety selection depend on the region and how early you want to harvest.

Preparation of soil and containers

Broccoli, like any other variety, prefers nutritious and loose soil, through which moisture and air penetrate well. To prepare a soil mixture of the correct composition, it is necessary to mix rotted manure or compost with turf soil in equal proportions. In addition, fertilizers containing micro- and macroelements are added to the mixture. To do this, you can use wood ash at the rate of 1 tbsp. l. for 1 kg of soil.

The soil for broccoli seedlings should be nutritious and loose, for which they use sod land and rotted manure

In the process of preparing the soil mixture, you can replace the sod land with peat with the addition of sand. If there is no desire or opportunity to prepare the substrate yourself, you can buy a ready-made one.

To reduce the likelihood of infection of young plants with various diseases, it is not recommended to take land from the garden, especially from the place where crops of the cruciferous family (radish, radish, cabbage) were cultivated. The fact is that in such a land, most likely, there are pathogens characteristic of these plants (fusarium, black leg, gray rot, etc.).

Preparing the soil for growing seedlings also includes a disinfection stage. To do this, 2 weeks before the intended sowing of seeds, the soil is steamed in the oven at a temperature of + 200 ° C for 15 minutes. After the substrate has cooled, it is spilled with potassium permanganate (1% solution). For these purposes, you can use other drugs, such as Fundazol, Gamair.

For growing broccoli seedlings, both homemade wooden boxes, plastic containers, and special cassettes are suitable. If sowing in large volumes is planned, then such containers will be the best option. With a small number of landings, you can use plastic cups or bottles, pots, etc. The main thing is that there are drainage holes on the bottom of the containers. Before sowing seeds, containers are recommended to be treated with potassium permanganate.

Homemade boxes or special cassettes are suitable for growing seedlings.

Preparing broccoli seeds for sowing

Before sowing, broccoli cabbage seeds need processing, which is carried out in order to disinfect, accelerate germination and sort out poor-quality seed.

Sorting

For sowing, it is advisable to select only large seeds, but you can use medium ones. Small and damaged grains must be removed. Calibration can be done with a suitable mesh (about 1.5 mm). There is another way: the seeds are placed in a 3% saline solution for 5 minutes. All that remains on the surface is thrown away. Seeds settled to the bottom are considered suitable for sowing. After this solution, they are washed in clean water.

Seeds of broccoli cabbage are sorted before sowing, selecting only large and medium grains

Disinfection

To process seed material from various pathogens, it is soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate for 20 minutes, and then washed. Many gardeners use this method, but there is an equally effective method of disinfection - heat. To do this, the seeds are poured into a thermos and poured with hot water (+ 60˚C) for 25 minutes, after which they are washed with cold water.

For disinfection, broccoli seeds are placed in a potassium permanganate solution for 20 minutes.

Germination

You can germinate seeds both in ordinary water and in growth stimulants, for example, Heteroauxin, Kornevin, etc. It is possible to prepare a nutrient solution based on wood ash (1 tablespoon per 1 liter of water), in which the seeds are soaked for several hours ... After processing, they are washed, placed on the lower shelf of the refrigerator for a day, and then dried and proceeded to planting.

Seeds of cabbage are germinated in plain water or in growth stimulants for faster germination

Rules for planting broccoli seedlings

To get high-quality broccoli seedlings by the time they are planted in open ground, it is necessary to take into account the region in which it is planned to grow, as well as to properly plant the seeds. Let us dwell on these points in more detail.

When to plant

Gardeners of the Moscow region and the middle zone can safely grow almost any varieties of broccoli cabbage: both early and late. Among the most popular are Gnome, Vitamin, Tonus. Seedlings are sown for seedlings in late March or early April. In early May, broccoli can be sown directly in the open field if the spring is warm. Otherwise, the sowing is transferred to the middle of the month. Landing in the Moscow region can be done until early July. At a later date, there is a high probability that the crop will not ripen.

In the Urals and Siberia, it is quite possible to grow broccoli even by direct sowing in open ground. However, a more reliable method is seedling. For these regions, you should choose early varieties and hybrids, such as Macho F1, Fiesta F1, Tonus. Seedlings in the Urals are mostly grown in unheated greenhouses. Sowing is carried out from 5 to 10 March.

For growing broccoli cabbage in the Urals and Siberia, it recommends using early varieties and hybrids

In the southern regions of Russia, broccoli seedlings are cultivated only in order to obtain super-early harvests. In general, it is much easier to cultivate a culture here, but, nevertheless, there are nuances that are due to temperature values. For the considered variety of cabbage, the most comfortable temperature is + 16-25˚С, and in the south it is quite hot for it. Therefore, in areas such as Astrakhan and Volgograd, broccoli has to be grown in the spring, until the hot season comes. To somehow remedy the situation, sowing with seeds is carried out in unheated greenhouses or at home, but early enough - in February. This allows harvesting before the hot season arrives.

If you adhere to the lunar calendar, then you should refer to the table, which indicates favorable and unfavorable days for sowing broccoli for seedlings in 2018.

Table: sowing broccoli by the lunar calendar in 2018

Sowing seeds

When the seeds and planting containers are prepared, you can start sowing:

1. A layer of expanded clay is poured onto the bottom of the drainage container. Then the container is filled with soil mixture and moistened.Expanded clay is poured at the bottom of the planting tank, and then it is filled with a soil mixture
2. Make grooves no more than 1.5 cm deep or small depressions when sowing in separate containers.In the prepared seedling box, grooves are made for sowing seeds with a depth of no more than 1.5 cm
3. Spread out the seeds at intervals of 3 cm.Broccoli seeds are sown at intervals of 3 cm, and when sowing, several seeds are placed in separate containers
4. Sprinkle with the same soil that is used for planting or with peat.At the end of sowing, the seeds are sprinkled with the same soil mixture that is used for planting.

After sowing, cover the containers with foil to retain moisture and place them in a warm place.

Video: sowing broccoli cabbage for seedlings

Caring for broccoli seedlings at home

The health and quality of plants, as well as the future harvest, depend on how correct the care of the seedlings will be. Therefore, the seedlings must be provided with appropriate conditions in which they will feel as comfortable as possible.

Temperature and lighting

Temperature regime is one of the main factors for the proper development of seedlings. After sowing seeds, containers with seedlings should be in a warm place with a temperature of + 18–20˚С. When seedlings appear, these values ​​must be lowered: in sunny weather to + 15–17˚С, in cloudy weather - + 12–13˚С, and at night the indicator should be about + 8–10˚С.

When growing broccoli seedlings, it is important to observe the temperature regime: in sunny weather up to + 15-17˚С, in cloudy weather - + 12-13˚С, and at night the indicator should be about + 8-10˚С

Video: what to do with broccoli sprouts

Broccoli is a light-loving crop. First of all, it should be borne in mind that seeds are sown for seedlings in March, when the daylight hours are quite short. Therefore, the organization of additional lighting will be required, as which you can use phyto- or LED lamps. It is believed that fluorescent lamps are not suitable for cabbage because of the different light spectrum. Young seedlings should be lit for 15 hours. The light source above the plants is placed at a height of 20 cm.

With a lack of sunlight, broccoli seedlings need additional lighting.

Watering

Any type of cabbage loves moisture, the lack of which leads to the death of plants. However, waterlogging of the soil contributes to the occurrence of dangerous diseases such as keela and black leg. This suggests that irrigation should be carried out as the topsoil dries up, and the room itself with seedlings should be periodically ventilated.

For watering broccoli seedlings, use only settled water at room temperature.

Broccoli cabbage is moisture-loving, therefore, the soil should not dry out, but you also do not need to fill in the plants

Picking

Seedlings dive at the age of two weeks. As a container, you can use any suitable size pots, cups, cut plastic bottles, etc. However, peat pots are considered the most convenient option, since plants from them do not need to be transplanted. Diving should be treated with special care to avoid root damage. Otherwise, the growth and development of seedlings will be slowed down.

Picking is the process of transplanting seedlings from a smaller container to a larger one, which contributes to the normal development of the aboveground and root parts.

When picking broccoli seedlings, plants are transplanted into a separate container for the normal development of the leaf and root parts

Containers with seedlings are pre-watered to make it easier to remove the plants. The rest of the process boils down to the following steps:

1. The same soil mixture is used as a ground for picking as when sowing seeds, pre-moistening it from a sprayer.
2. Make indentations for the plants.
3. Using a special spatula or a flat wooden stick, the sprout is removed from the nursery and placed in a separate container, compacting the earth and sprinkling it.

Until the broccoli seedlings are taken, you need to protect them from direct sunlight and ensure the temperature is + 20-22˚С.

Video: how to dive broccoli seedlings

Top dressing

The full development of young plants is impossible without additional nutrition. Seedlings can be fed 2-3 days after diving with nitroammofoska solution. To prepare the nutrient solution in a bucket of water, dissolve 1 tbsp. l. fertilizers.Pour 50 g of the substance into one container with the plant. After that, the temperature during the day is lowered to + 16-18˚С, at night it is maintained at the level of + 8-10˚С.

Hardening

Before planting broccoli seedlings in open ground, the plants must be hardened. They do this so that they get used to conditions as close as possible to open ground. The procedure begins two weeks before the cabbage is planted in the garden. First, the seedlings are taken out on a balcony or loggia for several hours. Gradually, the time is increased, and in the last days the plants are left overnight.

In order for broccoli seedlings to adapt to external conditions, a hardening procedure is carried out

Planting seedlings in the ground

Before planting broccoli seedlings in open ground, you need to decide on the site and the timing of the transplant.

Seedling plot

When choosing a site for broccoli cabbage, you need to take into account that the plant loves warmth and sun. The soil for planting seedlings should contain a sufficient amount of nutrients. Since autumn, for digging, the beds are fertilized with 40 g of ammonium nitrate, 30 g of superphosphate and 30 g of potassium chloride per m². You can also use organic fertilizers (compost, humus) at the rate of 2 kg per m².

For cabbage, soil with an acidity of pH 6.5–7.5 is suitable. If the indicator does not correspond to the norm, then the acidic soil is deoxidized with dolomite flour or lime (0.5 kg per 1 m²), and gypsum is applied on alkaline soils (0.2–0.5 kg per 1 m²).

When choosing a site for planting broccoli, it is worth considering what crops were grown on it before. Good precursors for cabbage are:

• potato;
• pumpkin;
• peas;
• beans;
• carrot.

After crops such as tomatoes, radishes, radishes and other types of cabbage, broccoli should not be planted.

When choosing a site for broccoli, it is necessary to take into account predecessors, since similar pests and pathogens can accumulate in the soil.

When to plant

The culture in question can be cultivated almost throughout the entire territory of Russia. However, the timing of planting depends on the variety and the growing region. If we consider the transplanting of seedlings into the ground in the territory of the Moscow region and the middle lane, then the peculiarity of these regions is that the disembarkation occurs in the first half of May. At this time, there is practically no hot sun here, and plant transplantation will be successful. However, frosts for May are not uncommon. Therefore, it will be useful to cover the garden bed after disembarkation. As a covering material, you can use lutrasil, spunbond, etc.

To avoid damage to broccoli cabbage by recurrent frosts, it is recommended to cover the planting with a covering material.

With regard to the timing of transplanting broccoli seedlings into open ground in the Urals and Siberia, they fall in the third decade of May. You can continue disembarking until mid-June. As a result, the crop can be harvested in late summer and early autumn, and in order to get it faster, greenhouses have to be installed on the site. If you sow the seeds in March, then the seedlings under the shelter can be planted in early May, and the harvest can be harvested from mid-summer until early autumn.

How to plant

Until the seedlings are planted in open ground, there should be 5-6 true leaves on it. The transplant is carried out according to the 35 * 60 cm scheme in the evening hours or in cloudy weather. The process consists of the following steps:

1. Shallow planting holes are made according to the size of the seedling root system.The holes for cabbage seedlings are made according to the size of the plant root system, taking into account the earthen coma
2. Spill the wells with water.
3. The seedling is removed from the planting container with a lump of earth and placed in the hole to the level of the first leaves.When planted in open ground, seedlings are buried to the level of the first leaves
4. If the weather is dry during disembarkation, then watering is done again, then sprinkled with dry soil and lightly tamped by hand.After planting the seedlings, the plantings are watered, sprinkled with dry earth and compacted by hand

A layer of mulch is laid on top of the plantings, which will prevent moisture evaporation and will protect the roots from overheating and weed growth.

Possible problems when growing broccoli seedlings

During the cultivation of broccoli seedlings, problems sometimes arise that, in one way or another, affect the growth and development of plants, and in the future, their quality. If young seedlings turn yellow, then this is a clear sign of a lack of nutrients in the soil or their excess. So, with a deficiency of potassium, the tips of the plants turn yellow. In addition, yellowing can be caused by infections in the soil that has not been treated before sowing.

Seedlings of broccoli cabbage are pulled out due to lack of light or non-observance of the temperature regime

If rotting of seedlings is observed, then this indicates infection with fungal diseases. If it is a black leg, then the plantings first turn brown, and then the lower part of the stem rotts and becomes thinner, which leads to the death of the seedling. Quite often, you can see how cabbage seedlings are pulled out. The main reason for this phenomenon is a lack of light, an incorrect temperature regime, as well as a high planting density. In this case, it is necessary not only to thin out the plants, but also to provide the necessary conditions for their normal growth.

Black leg is one of the main diseases of cabbage seedlings, in which the stem in the lower part rots, becomes thinner, which leads to the death of the plant

If the seeds did not sprout at all, then there are not so many reasons: poor-quality seed or non-observance of temperature and humidity. It can be concluded that the bulk of the problems that arise when growing broccoli seedlings are caused by improper soil and seed preparation, as well as non-compliance with the conditions for the normal development of plants.

Further care for broccoli

Taking care of your broccoli isn't too much of a hassle. One of the features of the culture is the need to shade young plantings from direct sunlight. To do this, you will need to build a shading fabric structure. As for watering, they are carried out once a week, of course, taking into account the weather conditions. Do not allow both drying out and waterlogging of the soil. Plants are irrigated directly under the root, and also resort to spraying. The main thing is that watering should be carried out in the morning or evening hours.

The soil on the cabbage bed must be loosened after each watering or rain. This will promote better oxygen penetration to the root system and the setting of inflorescences. Loosening also helps to remove weeds, which not only attract harmful insects, but also increase soil moisture, which leads to the development of fungal diseases.

Loosening the soil in cabbage beds improves air exchange and helps fight weeds

Broccoli cabbage in the open field needs additional nutrition. During the growing season, 3 dressings are carried out:

1. The first time fertilizers are applied 2 weeks after planting the seedlings (1 glass of mullein and 1 teaspoon of urea per 10 liters of water).
2. The second time the plants are fed 2-3 weeks after the first (1 tbsp. L. Ammonium nitrate per 10 l of water).
3. The third time the plants are fertilized at the end of the summer period (40 g of superphosphate, 10 g of potassium sulfate and 20 g of ammonium nitrate per 10 liters of water).

During the ripening of the inflorescences, the stem of the cabbage becomes weak. Therefore, the plants need to be helped by adding a nutrient solution, which is similar to the third feeding. In addition, it is necessary to respond in a timely manner to the appearance of pests and the occurrence of diseases, resorting to folk remedies or using bio- or chemical preparations.

Video: Caring for Broccoli Cabbage and Preventing Flowering

To grow quality broccoli seedlings, you need to create comfortable conditions for the plants. In many regions of the country, the cultivation of this variety of cabbage is possible by direct sowing of seeds in open ground.However, to get an early harvest, the seedling stage is mandatory. Compliance with all the rules and recommendations will allow you to grow strong seedlings and painlessly transfer the transplant to open ground.

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The annual broccoli crop belongs to the cabbage family and is a subspecies of cauliflower. Despite the fact that this vegetable appeared on domestic beds relatively recently and is considered very exotic, it is unpretentious and quite suitable for growing in local climatic conditions.

Varieties of broccoli cabbage

Broccoli is similar in appearance to cauliflower. It has a dense head, consisting of inflorescences, which is used for food.

There are two main types of broccoli:

• usual;
• asparagus.

The common one is more common, in which one head of cabbage is formed in the center on a thick stem.

Asparagus broccoli produces several slender stems with small heads.

In total, there are more than a hundred varieties in the world, a couple of dozen are cultivated in Russia.

Requirements for temperature, humidity and soil

Broccoli cabbage is demanding on light and moisture. Recommended soil moisture - 75%, air - 85%. The vegetable is not very sensitive to high and low temperatures: it tolerates frosts down to -7 ºC, does not need shading of the head. The optimum temperature range is 16-25 ºC.

The culture prefers loose, slightly alkaline and neutral soils. It is recommended to grow it in areas where last year there were potatoes, carrots, legumes. Bad predecessors are radishes, turnips, radishes, cabbage, tomatoes. It is not recommended to plant broccoli in the same areas earlier than 4 years later.

Growing seedlings and planting broccoli in open ground

Seeds selected for planting are disinfected in a manganese solution for half an hour. They are then rinsed in cold water. Such a procedure will help in the future to cope with most typical diseases. To enhance resistance to pests and increase yields, seeds are treated with Agat-25, Albit, El-1 or similar preparations.

The seedling method of growing broccoli is considered more efficient. The vegetable belongs to late crops, and the timing of its planting is also late. In this regard, there is no need to grow seedlings in heated rooms. The term for planting seeds is the end of April - beginning of May. If by this time warm weather has not been established, then it is enough to cover them with a film. Picking broccoli cabbage is done after 2 weeks. After another week, the seedlings begin to harden, gradually opening access to air, wind and sun.

Planting broccoli cabbage in open ground is done after 30-45 days, when the sixth true leaf is formed on the plants. It is better to prepare the beds in advance. In autumn, liming is carried out and fertilizers are applied: manure, superphosphate, potassium nitrate. Crushed eggshells work well for liming. The beds can be fertilized just before planting. Top dressing perfectly cope with the problem of lack of nutrients in the soil.

Planting broccoli cabbage outdoors is best done in cloudy weather or in the evening when solar activity is declining. Planting scheme 40x60 cm.

The pits are pulled out deep enough: most of the stem when planting should remain below the level of the bed. Ash, compost and dolomite flour are added as fertilizers. The plants are deepened by about 1 cm.As they grow, soil is poured into the holes until they are completely aligned with the level of the garden.

Caring for broccoli cabbage

Caring for broccoli cabbage includes weeding, watering, feeding, pest control.It is recommended to water this moisture-loving culture every 2 days, and in hot weather, increase the frequency of watering up to 2 times a day. A moist soil layer with a depth of about 15 cm should be constantly maintained. Watering preferably in the evening hours. After each watering, the soil is loosened to avoid root rot.

Broccoli cabbage responds positively to feeding. They are recommended even if the soil is well fertilized. The first feeding from cow dung (1:10) or bird droppings (1:20) is applied after the plants have rooted in the garden bed. The second is made after 2 weeks. The third is performed with the beginning of the formation of inflorescences. For her, you can use the following composition (based on 10 plants):

• water - 10 l;
• superphosphate - 40 g;
• ammonium nitrate - 20 g;
• potassium sulfate - 10 g.

After cutting the central head, lateral stems with inflorescences begin to form on the plant, which will be a significant addition to the harvest. The following solution is used to stimulate their growth:

• water - 10 l;
• potassium sulfate - 30 g;
• superphosphate - 20 g;
• ammonium nitrate - 10 g.

Wood ash and nettle tincture will be a good addition to top dressing.

The main pest of the culture is the cruciferous flea. It can appear immediately after planting broccoli in open ground. You can protect young plants by covering them with a thin non-woven cloth. During the growth of broccoli cabbage, the drug "Iskra" is used to combat the pest, but it can be used only before the formation of inflorescences. Further measures are reduced to sprinkling the plants with a mixture of wood ash and tobacco dust or spraying with an infusion of these components.

Harvesting and storage

When growing broccoli cabbage, you need to make sure that it does not overripe, and cut off the head until yellow flowers appear. Otherwise, the vegetable becomes unfit for human consumption. The central shoot is cut off when it reaches a length of 10 cm. The inflorescences are removed together with the stem. Like cauliflower, the top is juicy and tasty. It is better to harvest in the morning to prevent the plants from withering in the sun. Early varieties harvested in summer are unsuitable for long-term storage. The only way to preserve them is to freeze them. But the crop harvested in mid-autumn can be stored in a refrigerator or cellar at zero temperature for about 3 months.

After cutting the head, do not rush to remove the plant from the garden. Several lateral inflorescences with small heads will still form on it. Their development will take about a month. If the crop was harvested in the summer, then an addition to it is guaranteed. But the formation of lateral shoots in autumn is quite possible, due to the ability of broccoli to tolerate slight frosts. Plants sprout even if they are uprooted from the ground and just lie in the beds.

Sowing broccoli seeds for seedlings - video