Planting and caring for broccoli outdoors

Many summer residents fell in love with asparagus cabbage: its inflorescences have an interesting delicate taste and rich chemical composition, and the low calorie content allows them to be included in the diet without fear of harming the figure. The list of advantages of the culture is headed by its unpretentiousness - growing broccoli in the open field will require minimal labor costs. Its inflorescences ripen quickly. It will be possible to enjoy them when 2 months have passed from the moment the seedlings are placed on the beds. But you should not rush to harvest cabbage bushes from the garden. If, having received the main harvest, you continue to care for broccoli, until the end of the season, numerous new formations will appear on it - small but edible and useful heads.

Preparation of planting material

Sowing seeds of asparagus cabbage can be carried out directly to the beds. But more often it is grown through seedlings. Although this method is more labor intensive, its important advantage is that valuable crops can be harvested faster. You can get viable seedlings in a greenhouse or at home by placing containers with sown broccoli on the windowsill, insulated balcony or loggia.

In order for the seedlings to be friendly and healthy, pre-planting seed preparation is carried out.

1. First, they are placed in water heated to 50 ° C. It may be clean, but it is better to dissolve a little potassium permanganate in it, which will help disinfect the seeds.
2. After 15-20 minutes, they are taken out and immediately placed in a container of cold water, where they are kept for 1 minute.
3. Further, broccoli seeds are treated with special biological preparations - growth stimulants and fungicides.The planting material should lie in the solution prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions for at least 12 hours.
4. Then it is placed in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
5. To make planting the seeds easier, they need to be dried. Then they will be well separated from the fingers.

The next stage is soil preparation. Ordinary garden soil is suitable for broccoli, but it is better to add wood ash to it (1-1.5 cups of fertilizer are stirred in 1 bucket of soil). It will provide the seedlings with the nutrients they need and help reduce soil acidity. Professionals advise using a substrate of components mixed in equal amounts for planting broccoli seeds:

• garden land;
• humus;
• peat;
• sand.

The main condition for plant health is loose soil and good drainage. With stagnant moisture, the planting can be destroyed by a black leg.

Getting seedlings

Sowing seeds of asparagus cabbage is carried out in a substrate disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate at the end of March or in early April. At home, it is recommended to plant them in separate containers. This will protect the broccoli root system from damage when the plants are moved outdoors. In addition, in individual pots, seedlings are more powerful and develop better, because they do not have to fight with neighbors for light and nutrients. It will be easier to care for them: there is no need for thinning and picking seedlings. If a common container is used, then 5 cm is left between the seeds in a row.

Advice

You can plant broccoli seeds that have already hatched into the ground. Use a paper towel or cloth to germinate them. Having well moistened the material with water, sprinkle seeds over it, and then cover it with a plastic bag. It will take 2-3 days, and they can be planted in a pot.

In order for broccoli seeds to germinate, the room temperature is kept between 18-20 ° C. When the seedlings hatch, it is reduced to 8-10 ° C. The seedlings need coolness only in the first week of their development; in the future, the optimum temperature for them is 15-20 ° C. They do not need special care. It is enough to put containers with broccoli seedlings in a bright place and water abundantly, preventing the soil from drying out and waterlogging. At the age of 30–38 days, young asparagus cabbage can be placed in the beds. By this time, she produces 4-5 full leaves.

Broccoli is a cold-resistant crop, its bushes can withstand up to -7 ° C. Therefore, you can plant its seeds immediately in the garden, providing them with greenhouse conditions by covering the beds with film or special material. They will help and protect young asparagus from insect pests. If you sow broccoli seeds in the first decade of April, then by mid-May the seedlings will be sufficiently developed to be placed on a permanent site. In this way, hardened seedlings adapted to outdoor conditions with a higher survival rate are obtained. The shelter is removed from the beds when the seedlings get stronger.

Another way of growing crops is practiced in the Urals - to plant broccoli seeds directly in open ground. This can be done from May to June. Shallow holes are dug at the site with an interval of 50 cm. Several seeds are placed in each, covered with a layer of soil and watered abundantly. When the seedlings hatch, they leave the strongest sprout. The first harvest of broccoli will bring in late summer or early fall, and additional mini-inflorescences can be harvested from it until October.

Landing in the ground

Broccoli is afraid of the bright sun, it is better to plant it in slightly shaded places. It will bring a bountiful harvest on fertile, humus-rich, non-acidic soils with a light porous structure. If the pH is not high enough (from 3 to 6), liming of the soil is carried out. Eggshell powder, chalk or lime will help neutralize acidity. Correct broccoli farming involves maintaining crop rotation.Do not place it in areas where cruciferous vegetables were planted last season. But it will develop well in the soil after potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, onions, pumpkins, and various legumes.

The area where you plan to plant broccoli is best prepared in the fall. It is dug up, applying fertilizers with a high content of potassium and phosphorus. Both organic and mineral compositions are suitable for culture: manure, humus, superphosphate, potassium nitrate. It is not critical if it is not possible to carry out the autumn preparation of the beds. Top dressing will provide broccoli with the nutrients it needs.

You need to plant asparagus cabbage in deep holes. The soil in them should be well moistened - by 30 cm. Between adjacent holes, leave 30-40 cm of free space. The row spacing should be wide - not less than 45-60 cm. If the soil has not been enriched with fertilizers in advance, ash and humus or compost (1 handful) are thrown into each hole.

Then a seedling extracted from a pot or from a greenhouse, along with an earthen lump, is placed in it. Trying not to bare its roots, they are carefully straightened. Broccoli requires planting at a medium depth - the stem of the plant is immersed in the soil until the first leaves. It is recommended to carry out the procedure in cloudy weather and in the afternoon. Finish it with watering. To facilitate the care of the plantings, the soil under the plants is mulched. A layer of fine straw, dry grass, or wood shavings will help trap moisture, keep plantings from overheating, and stop weeds from growing.

Advice

Broccoli seedlings with a developed root system, consisting of many thin shoots, take root better and are less sick. In height, they should reach 15-20 cm.

After landing

So that the planting of broccoli does not end with the death of young plants, they must be protected from the scorching sunlight. Shelter can be made from old buckets or spruce branches. Artificial shading is left for 7-10 days until the seedlings take root. Caring for asparagus cabbage is simple. Her agricultural technology consists in procedures familiar to all summer residents. The plantings are regularly looked after:

• watered;
• feed;
• weed;
• spud;
• loosen.

The secrets of the high yield of broccoli have been revealed for a long time. Frequent watering and fertilization guarantee success in growing crops. It is better to moisturize plantings in the evening hours. At the stage of formation and development of inflorescences, the procedure is carried out every other day. If the summer is hot and dry, the broccoli bushes are watered daily - in the early morning and evening, when the heat subsides. The rest of the time, one hydration per week is sufficient. Watering the asparagus cabbage needs abundant watering, the soil should be at least 15 cm wet.

Broccoli will need a lot of nutrients for vigorous growth and abundant fruiting. It is advisable to use organic compounds for feeding: infused mullein, chicken droppings. Additional nutrition is provided for asparagus every 14 days. Such care begins from the moment her bushes take root in a new place and take on growth. When inflorescences begin to form, they switch to mineral fertilizers. Three components are stirred in 10 liters of water:

• superphosphate (40 g);
• ammonium nitrate (20 g);
• potassium sulfate (10 g).

The resulting composition is watered plantings under the root. Then the care in the form of dressings is suspended. It is renewed after the main inflorescence is cut from the cabbage. The same mineral preparations are used for fertilization, but in a different proportion. During this period, plants need 3 times more potassium and 2 times less phosphorus and nitrogen. If you continue feeding, the side shoots of the asparagus cabbage will begin to grow actively and it will be possible to harvest an additional crop from it.

Advice

After each watering and fertilization, the soil under the broccoli bushes must be thoroughly loosened.

Harvesting rules

Cut off the asparagus inflorescences when they are green.It is important to closely monitor their condition, as the head quickly overripe, in just 2-3 days. If you miss the moment, it will cover with small buds, which will then turn into yellow flowers. You can no longer eat such a vegetable. First, the main stem of the broccoli is cut. By the time of maturity, its length should reach 10 cm.After its removal, an additional crop can be harvested, formed on the lateral shoots. Not only the broccoli inflorescences themselves are edible, but also the upper part of the stem.

Collecting heads is best done in the morning, as they wither under the influence of sunlight. Broccoli inflorescences that ripen early are not suitable for long-term storage. You can do with them in 2 ways: immediately cook or freeze. The crop harvested in mid-autumn can be stored for up to 3 months. It needs coolness to stay fresh. You will need to put the heads in the refrigerator or basement.

Broccoli has an interesting twist. Even after being removed from the soil, its bushes are capable of forming new ovaries. If, in the process of preparing the garden for winter, pull them out by the roots and leave them in the beds, then after 1 month it will be possible to cut off the last juicy inflorescences from them.

Asparagus has not yet gained great popularity among summer residents, but this culture deserves attention. Eating the flowers regularly is good for your health, and preparing them is quick and easy. Broccoli dishes will add variety to the diet, because there are many recipes for them. It can be boiled, fried, stewed with other vegetables, steamed, used as a filling for pies.

Caring for asparagus cabbage will not take much time. They grow it not only in the garden. At home, you can get inflorescences rich in vitamins all year round by planting seeds in wooden boxes and putting them on a balcony or loggia. Broccoli is almost not afraid of cold weather, in the open field it is rarely affected by pests, it loves damp weather. It is enough just to water and feed the plantings on time, and you can enjoy the fruits of your labors until late autumn.

The spread of the asparagus variety of the culture determines the beneficial properties and high taste. Broccoli is less popular than white cabbage, but due to its nutritional value, it is gradually gaining the love of gardeners. In order not to lose the harvest, you need to know how to properly grow broccoli in the garden. There are a number of nuances, when done, you can get heads of asparagus cabbage until late autumn.

Origin and description of culture

The homeland of broccoli is Italy, in the 6th-5th centuries BC it was distributed in the northeast of the Mediterranean. In the 16th century, there is a mention of it in France, and in the 18th century, culture came to England. Then they began to cultivate it in the USA, China, India, Turkey, Israel.

The varieties of broccoli are Calabrian and Asparagus. The first species forms one large head of cabbage on a massive stem, and the second forms several heads on thin stems. It also depends on the variety how it looks, what useful properties it has.

The color of the product head can be green, purple or white.

Outwardly, it is very similar to green cauliflower. It grows up to 60-90 cm in height, forms several peduncles at once (asparagus variety), which allows harvesting several times. The green buds form a small, loose head for feeding. If you do not have time to cut it off, yellow flowers will appear on the surface, broccoli will lose its nutritional and useful value, as well as taste.

Main characteristics and useful properties

The vegetable has a delicate texture, good taste, high protein content and low fiber. The last two indicators make broccoli asparagus a dietary product, allow people with gastrointestinal disorders to be included in the diet. Essential amino acids bring the vegetable closer in composition to beef and eggs.The calorie content of the product is about 30 kcal per 100 g, which allows it to be used in weight loss programs.

The contained provitamin A improves vision, vitamin U helps to heal ulcers of the digestive tract, relieves inflammation. Restoring the balance of vitamin D metabolism is achieved through the presence of phylloquinone (vitamin K). The vegetable promotes blood formation, supports the cardiovascular system. Regular consumption of food prevents the development of atherosclerosis and premature aging.

Dietary fiber and fiber remove toxins and toxins from the intestines, help eliminate constipation. Sulforaphane destroys harmful microorganisms that provoke ulcers and oncology. Broccoli enhances appetite, stimulates bile secretion, normalizes cholesterol metabolism, removing excess fats and fatty acids from the body.

Calcium and phosphorus strengthen the musculoskeletal system, increase the efficiency of the brain. Broccoli is used to treat arthritis by preventing the destruction of cartilage tissue. Helps with stress and depression, is used to prevent nervous disorders.

The vegetable is widely used in cooking and traditional medicine. But you should pay attention: when flowers appear on broccoli, it is no longer desirable to use it for food. Contraindications to the use of asparagus are gastritis with high acidity, ulcers, pancreatic diseases and allergies to the product.

Agrotechnical requirements for growing

The culture is moisture-loving, cold-resistant. The characteristics depend on the variety. Some varieties in the form of seedlings can withstand short-term frosts down to -5-8 ° C. It is better to transplant into open ground when a constant temperature is established at + 14-17 ° C during the day, + 6-8 ° C at night. Low rates retard growth, with high ones, small heads are formed, crumble, germinate with leaves.

To grow broccoli cabbage in the country, you need to follow standard agrotechnical rules:

• observe crop rotation;
• choose an open, sunny place;
• prepare a suitable soil;
• grow seedlings;
• provide broccoli with proper planting and care;
• harvest on time.

The culture grows well with a sufficient content of boron, molybdenum, phosphorus, potassium, manganese, copper in the soil. Excess nitrogen leads to increased plant growth, but broccoli heads slowly and small in size. At the same time, nitrates and nitrites, which are dangerous to human health, accumulate in the vegetable.

Agrotechnology for growing cabbage requires sufficient and timely moisture. Some varieties withstand short-term drought, but they will not give a good harvest. Waterlogging of the soil should also not be allowed, since plants under such conditions are affected by bacteriosis and stop growing. For this reason, it is forbidden to place vegetable beds in lowlands, in flooded areas.

The choice of a variety depends on the climatic conditions of growing. So, for the cultivation of broccoli cabbage in the Urals, cold-resistant early varieties, some hybrids, are suitable. For example, Tonus, Macho, Continental. In Siberia, it is necessary to grow early maturing varieties (Venus, Arcadia, Vyarus, Calabrese) in order to have time to give a harvest in a short northern summer. The climate of the Moscow region and central Russia is most suitable for broccoli. You can sow any varieties, the most popular are Vitamin, Varnish, Fiesta.

How to grow broccoli

The ripening time and the nuances of cultivating a vegetable depend on the variety. The most commonly practiced cultivation of broccoli cabbage seedlings. Preliminary preparation of sowing material, substrate for seeds, open ground is required.

It is important to know how to care for seedlings and mature plants in order to get a high yield.

When to plant broccoli:

• the first half of March is suitable for sowing seeds for seedlings;
• overseeding every 2 weeks will provide a conveyor growing method;
• the seedless method has been used since the end of April.

Cabbage seedlings need to be grown for 35-45 days, until 5-6 true leaves are formed on the seedlings. Planted outdoors in mid-May, weather permitting. In particular, freezing is undesirable. The predecessors of the crop can be onions, carrots, green manure, cucumbers, potatoes, legumes, and cereals. It is undesirable to use the beds after tomatoes, radishes, turnips, beets, radishes.

Seed preparation

A feature of growing broccoli is that the culture can be grown by seedlings or seeds at once, since it is early ripening. But in both cases, preliminary preparation of the planting material is required. First you need to sift the seeds, remove too small. Then pour hot water (up to 50 ° C) for 20 minutes, remove the floating ones immediately. Then immerse in cold water for 1-2 minutes.

To grow from seeds, you need to pre-soak them to accelerate the emergence of seedlings. You can use warm water or a solution of growth stimulants. It is advisable to carry out disinfection by dipping it into a solution of potassium permanganate and boric acid for 15 minutes. Then rinse with clean water.

As a fertilizer solution for soaking, you can dilute 1 tbsp. l. wood ash in 1 liter of water, pour this over the seeds for 6 hours.

After disinfection and soaking, be sure to rinse the seed. Then, for the purpose of hardening, place in the refrigerator for a day. After that, dry it a little, trying not to dry it out, otherwise the seeds will die or give a weak harvest.

Preparing soil and seedling containers

As containers, you can use a wooden box 25 cm high and 30x50 cm in size. Any cups, pots, jars are also suitable, if their height corresponds to the specified one.

It is important to know how to properly fill the containers so as not to provoke rotting of the root system. A drainage layer should be poured on the bottom. Fill the rest of the volume with a substrate of sod land, humus, sand (peat) and ash. The mixture should turn out to be light, loose, it is good for air and moisture to pass through. Next, plant broccoli cabbage seeds in prepared containers.

Sowing technology

A day before planting cabbage, the prepared substrate must be watered with a light solution of potassium permanganate to prevent fungal diseases. You cannot add much, since this substance increases the acidity, which negatively affects the development of plants.

Planting broccoli in boxes is carried out in prepared grooves 1-1.5 cm deep, made every 3-4 cm. Place the seeds at a distance of 4-5 cm from each other. Cover with soil mixture on top, moisten a little. Cover the containers with a dark plastic bag, put them in a room with an air temperature of about 18-20 ° C.

After the emergence of seedlings, remove the polyethylene, transfer the seedlings to cooler conditions at 8-10 ° C for a week, then grow at 15-20 ° C.

Before planting broccoli outdoors, a few true leaves should form on the plants.

Seedling care

When growing broccoli at home, containers with plants should stand on a well-lit windowsill in a ventilated area. Seedling care consists in constant moistening of the soil substrate. In this case, liquid accumulation must not be allowed. If the seedlings grow poorly, they can be fed with a solution of superphosphate, potassium chloride, nitrate, but not before the appearance of the second true leaf.

The secrets of growing broccoli suggest that if the seedlings have grown, and weather conditions do not allow them to be transferred to a permanent place of growth, then they are planted in individual containers. The pick should be done carefully, trying not to damage the root system.

Timing and technique of planting seedlings in the ground

Prepare the soil in the broccoli beds in the fall. Need a deep digging with the introduction of dry humus. The acidity is also normalized as needed at this point.If it is increased, you need to alkalize the earth with lime, wood ash or dolomite flour. Dig up in the spring with the addition of compost.

Planting seedlings in open ground should be done in the afternoon, if possible in cloudy weather. Plants in height should grow at this moment up to 15 cm. Make deep holes in the soil at a distance of 30-40 cm from each other. Row spacing - 45-60 cm. Water well, if necessary add ash and organic fertilizer (compost or humus).

Place the plants in the holes along with the substrate in which the seedlings grew. Immerse in the ground until the first leaves. After the cabbage is planted, it should be watered. Cover the surface with straw, dry grass or wood shavings.

Outdoor care

Observance of certain rules is required when growing and caring for broccoli cabbage. In case of violation of agricultural technology, such problems arise:

• blooms prematurely;
• does not form a head of cabbage;
• small harvest.

After planting seedlings in the ground, you need to water and fertilize the plants. At the same time, both the lack of moisture and nutrients, and their excess lead to early flowering.

The reason for this can also be high air temperature, untimely harvesting.

Failure to meet the sowing dates explains why the head is not tied. The culture is formed only at temperatures up to 18 ° C. Therefore, if you tighten the landing, the head of cabbage will not be tied. This is also caused by a lack of moisture, a violation in the balance of fertilization. Compliance with the requirements for cultivation and care in the open field will allow you to grow a rich harvest.

Watering and loosening

At first, almost daily soil moisture is required, which is a feature of growing broccoli. Gradually, watering is reduced to 1 time in 2-3 days. Drought tolerance allows plants to be watered once a week, but the yield in this case will be less. After each moistening, it is advisable to loosen the soil so that a dense crust does not form on its surface.

Top dressing

For the first time, the addition of additives should be done 6-7 days after planting seedlings in open ground. For the first feeding, a urea solution is used. After the procedure, water the plants, huddle, loosen the ground. The second fertilization is carried out after 2 weeks with a mullein solution (1: 4) under the root. When forming inflorescences, you need to add a superphosphate solution. You can also carry out the fourth feeding of asparagus after cutting the main head of cabbage. It will help the lateral inflorescences to form.

Diseases and pests

Agrotechnical measures, fully carried out during the preparatory work, sowing for seedlings and planting in the ground, provide good protection of plants from damage.

It is necessary to periodically inspect the plantings for signs of diseases or pests in order to start fighting them on time.

Broccoli can damage:

• earthen flea;
• cabbage fly;
• aphids, slugs, snails;
• cruciferous flea;
• cabbage butterfly.

Planting strong-smelling plants next to broccoli can help prevent pests. Celery protects against earthen fleas, dill - against aphids, peppermint - against cabbage. Can be sprayed with infusion of potato or tomato tops, ash and soap solution. In case of severe lesions, the drugs Iskra-bio, Actellik, Ambush, Rovikurt are used.

Possible diseases:

• blackleg;
• keel;
• linen;
• alternaria;
• peronosporosis;
• rot;
• mosaic.

Prevention consists in adherence to agricultural technology, crop rotation, treatment of seeds and soil with a solution of potassium permanganate. Diseased plants must be removed immediately.

Of the drugs, you can use Baktofit, Fitosporin, Planriz, Fitolavin, Topaz.

Greenhouse care

The advantages of growing broccoli in greenhouses and in greenhouses are getting an early harvest, adjusting the ambient temperature, and the ability to extend daylight hours.Care is required the same as for cultivation in the open field - watering, loosening, top dressing. Cabbage is photophilous, so you need to create 14-17 hours of daylight hours for it.

In a greenhouse, broccoli can be grown until harvest. The first cutting of cabbages can be done in June. You should not stop caring for the plants, since lateral inflorescences will begin to form further, which will give a new crop. It should be noted that rainwater does not penetrate into the greenhouse, so you will have to water it more often. Warm days, when overheating is possible, can also be dangerous. Therefore, constant ventilation is required in hot weather.

Harvesting and storage

Broccoli is harvested in the morning. Heads of cabbage should not be cut off, but cut off together with the stem. At the same time, it is important not to miss the moment of maturity, when the broccoli is ripe, flowering begins, which will significantly worsen the marketable and taste qualities of the vegetable.

To determine the exact date, you need to focus on the variety and external characteristics. The growing season is indicated on the seed package, and the signs of maturity are the head size - about 12-14 cm, dark green. The ripening time is indicated by yellowing of the buds.

Early varieties are unsuitable for long-term storage. They should be eaten for the next 1-2 weeks or frozen immediately. Late-ripening cabbage can be stored in the refrigerator or basement at 0 ° C. The duration is about 3 months.

In another way, broccoli is called asparagus cabbage, and, in fact, it is a kind of cabbage familiar to all of us, a culture that belongs to the Cabbage family and in which they eat unblown inflorescences, and not leaf blades, like other representatives of the subspecies. Not everyone knows that cauliflower is genetically closest to her, more precisely - cauliflower literally descended from broccoli, that is, it is younger than the latter.

Broccoli was obtained by simple selection around the fifth or sixth century BC, when, of course, no one knew about such a concept as selection. For a long period of time, literally several centuries, broccoli was grown exclusively in the territory of modern Italy. Translated from Italian, broccoli means scion, and everyone who has seen broccoli will immediately understand why it was called that.

Broccoli, or Asparagus

The first detailed descriptions of broccoli are found in manuscripts dating from the late 16th century, at the same time the crop came to England, where it was introduced as Italian asparagus. Almost simultaneously, broccoli came to the American continent, where it did not cause such a stir as in England at first; and only almost four centuries later, broccoli was remembered in America, and this country became its largest exporter to other countries.

Currently, in addition to the United States, broccoli is actively cultivated in India, China, France, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Israel. In Russia, the production of broccoli cabbage is concentrated in the hands of small private farms.

Description of broccoli

In appearance, broccoli cabbage strongly resembles cauliflower, however, its inflorescences are not creamy, but green. In the first year, the broccoli stalk grows 70-80 cm and numerous succulent-type flower stalks form on its top. These peduncles are crowned with dense clusters of green buds, which are arranged in a loose, medium-sized head. It is this very head that is eaten, cutting it off before the flowers form. If you tighten the broccoli harvesting and the buds turn yellow, then it will be almost impossible to eat such cabbage.

Since new inflorescences begin to form from the side buds after cutting the broccoli head, cabbage can produce a crop for several months.

Experts note an increase in demand for broccoli literally all over the world; If we take the average figures for different countries, then in terms of consumption of broccoli, only a fraction of a percent is inferior to traditional cabbage.

In this article, we will tell you how to grow broccoli through seedlings, how to properly care for it, how to harvest and which varieties you should pay attention to.

Broccoli, or Asparagus

Growing broccoli through seedlings

When to start sowing broccoli seeds?

Usually, sowing broccoli cabbage seeds for seedlings is carried out at the very beginning of March and continues until the middle of the month. As for the varieties, when choosing them, it is imperative to take into account the climatic features of your region, for example, in the northern regions, where the summer is short and rather cool, you should not consider varieties with a late ripening period for planting, here you need to focus on early and mid-early varieties.

To avoid surprises in the future, try to purchase broccoli seeds only in specialized seed stores and be sure to take the freshest of them.

How to prepare broccoli seeds?

After purchasing, sort the seed material, select the largest of them and soak them in water heated to 50 degrees for about a quarter of an hour. Next, the seeds of broccoli cabbage should be immersed in cold water with a temperature of about 10 degrees, thus you "wake up" them.

It remains to soak broccoli seeds in a solution of any growth stimulant such as Heteroauxin, BCI and others, in order to accelerate their germination. You can soak broccoli seeds in a growth stimulant solution for 7-8 hours, then rinse in running water, put them in the refrigerator door for a day, and then dry them to flow on a dry napkin.

Sowing broccoli seeds

You can sow seeds in any containers with a side height of about 25 cm.A layer of drainage should be laid on the bottom of the dishes - expanded clay, pebbles, a centimeter thick, and then covered with nutritious soil (a mixture of turf soil, river sand, wood ash and humus in equal proportions) ... The soil must be loose, water and breathable. After the containers are filled with soil, it is necessary to water it from a spray bottle, preferably with rainwater, and then make grooves a little more than a centimeter deep with a distance of three centimeters between them. When the grooves are ready, you can sow broccoli seeds, and then sprinkle them with soil, slightly compacting it.

Next, it is important to monitor the temperature in the room where broccoli seedlings are grown. The temperature before sprouting should be at the level of 19-20 degrees, immediately after the sprouts appear on the soil surface, the temperature should be lowered to 9-11 degrees for about 7-8 days, and then the temperature should be adjusted depending on the time of day. So, during the day in sunny weather, it should be maintained at 15-17 degrees, and in cloudy 12-13 degrees. At night, regardless of the weather outside the window, the temperature in the room should be at the level of 8-10 degrees Celsius.

The humidity in the room should be maintained at 80-85%, the soil should also be kept moist, but not overflowed, otherwise a black leg may appear, which will destroy the seedlings.

Picking broccoli seedlings

The picking of broccoli seedlings is usually carried out when the seedlings are 14-15 days old. It is most convenient to use peat pots as containers for picking, no further transplanting from them is needed, they dissolve in the soil and serve as additional food for seedlings at the initial stage. You need to dive broccoli seedlings carefully, trying not to damage the roots. Previously, the cups should be filled with the same mixture that you prepared for sowing, pour it from a spray bottle, make depressions.Next, with a small stick, for example from ice cream, you need to carefully select the seedlings from the box, place them in the wells of the cups, compact the soil and water again from the spray bottle.

Before broccoli seedlings get stronger, they must be protected from direct sunlight by shading. At the same time, you need to increase the temperature in the room, bringing it to 20-22 degrees.

After two to three days, when the broccoli seedlings take root, you can feed by adding a solution of nitroammophoska. To do this, a tablespoon of complex fertilizer must be dissolved in a bucket of water, 50 g of solution can be poured into each glass. After feeding, you need to lower the temperature again and adjust it depending on the time of day. During the day, it is necessary to maintain the temperature at 16-18 degrees, and at night, lower to 8-10 degrees.

About two weeks before planting in the ground, broccoli seedlings can be hardened by taking them out to the balcony or loggia, first for 2-3 hours, a couple of days, then for 8-10 hours, a couple of days, then try to expose the seedlings early in the morning and clean up late in the evening and, finally, 2-3 days before disembarkation, leave the seedlings overnight.

Planting broccoli seedlings outdoors

When to plant broccoli seedlings in the ground?

Usually the age of broccoli seedlings before planting in open ground is 40-50 days, no more. By this time, the seedlings should have five or six true leaves, this is a signal that it is time to plant it.

Calendar this period usually falls in mid-second half of May, however, if during this period it is cold and the soil is not warmed up enough, then the period of planting broccoli cabbage seedlings can be shifted.

For planting broccoli seedlings, it is imperative to choose the most open and well-lit area; it is fine if it is protected from the cold wind on the north side. Try to choose a bed that has previously grown green manure crops, carrots, onions, any grains, legumes and potatoes - these are the best predecessors. Bad precursors for broccoli cabbage are: beets, radishes, tomatoes, radishes and turnips; if they grew on the site earlier, then broccoli can be planted in this place only after four seasons.

Soil for broccoli

The optimal soil for broccoli cabbage is considered to be neutral or slightly alkaline soil, with a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. Preparing the soil for planting seedlings must be started in the fall, but you can do this in the spring, at least a week before planting seedlings. Under the digging of soil on a full bayonet of a shovel, which must be combined with the maximum removal of weeds, it is necessary to add well-rotted manure or compost in an amount of three kilograms per square meter. In the event that the soil is acidic, add lime - 200 g per square meter.

Planted broccoli seedlings

How to plant broccoli seedlings outdoors?

It is advisable to plant broccoli seedlings in the ground early in the morning and preferably in cloudy weather. The optimal planting scheme is 35 by 50-55 cm. Planting is carried out in holes, which must be dug a day or two before planting seedlings, and water before planting (0.5 l). In the wells, in addition to water, you need to add 6-7 g of nitroammophoska, thoroughly mixing the fertilizer with moistened soil; then it is necessary to place the seedlings in a peat-melting cup or with a bare root system into the hole, sprinkle with soil, compact it and water it again (250-300 g per plant). Next, it is important to monitor the weather: if frosts are expected, then the seedlings should be covered using glass jars or plastic bottles cut in half. Be aware that even at two degrees of frost, broccoli seedlings can die.

Caring for broccoli cabbage

Broccoli care consists in loosening the soil, preventing crust formation; in weeding, avoiding competition from weeds; watering and dressing.Two weeks after planting the seedlings, it is also necessary to carry out hilling, which must be repeated after a week. Hilling can be combined with loosening the soil.

Do not forget that freshly planted broccoli seedlings can be damaged by the bright rays of the sun on especially hot days, so it should be shaded for about 3-4 days at noon. On very hot and dry days, in addition to strictly mandatory watering, it is also necessary to spray the air around the plants, and the more often you do this, the higher the yield and its quality will be.

When loosening the soil, try not to deepen the tool more than eight centimeters, otherwise the roots may be damaged. Loosening is desirable to carry out the next day after watering or heavy rain.

Watering broccoli

Speaking of watering: broccoli is usually watered every 6-7 days, however, if there is a drought and the temperature is at around 24-26 degrees and above, then watering can be done more often. When watering, try to moisturize the soil, and not turn it into a swamp. Do not forget about spraying, sometimes they are even more useful than watering, for example, in regions with dense, clayey soil.

Broccoli, or Asparagus

Top dressing broccoli

Naturally, if your plans include getting a full-fledged harvest, then you must definitely provide for feeding. You can feed broccoli more often. The first time (not counting the feeding of seedlings and fertilizing the hole during planting) broccoli can be fed 12-14 days after planting in open ground. At this time, organic fertilizers are more important for plants. You can feed broccoli with mullein solution; about 250 g of mullein is needed for a bucket of water. To increase the nutritional value, you can add a teaspoon of any nitrogen fertilizer, such as urea, to the solution. If there is no mullein, then you can use chicken manure, but it must be dissolved in a ratio of 1 to 20. The consumption rate of any of these solutions is about a liter per square meter.

The next feeding of broccoli can be done 18-20 days after the first one. This time, it is nitrogen fertilizers that are more important. It is desirable to use ammonium nitrate in the amount of a matchbox in a bucket of water. The consumption rate is the same - a liter per square meter of soil.

The third top dressing can be carried out towards the end of the summer period, at this time potash and phosphorus fertilizers are most important for broccoli cabbage. It is necessary to dilute 30-35 g of superphosphate and 9-11 g of potassium sulfate in a bucket of water and water the soil, spending 1.5 liters per square meter.

After the first harvesting wave has begun and the center head has been removed, the broccoli must be fed again to stimulate the lateral shoots to regrow. To do this, dissolve a tablespoon of nitroammofoska in a bucket of water and pour a liter of solution under each bush.

A week after this top dressing, you can apply 150-200 g of wood ash under the plants, this is a good potash fertilizer. For greater efficiency, ash must be scattered over previously loosened and watered soil.

How to Harvest Broccoli?

We have already slightly touched on harvesting: you need to know that broccoli cabbage should be harvested before its flowers open. This moment is easy to miss, so you need to keep an eye on the cabbage. There are a number of signs that indicate that the cabbage is ready to be harvested, such as head size: ready for harvesting, they have a diameter of about 12-14 cm. Further - coloration: Broccoli head, ready to pick, is usually dark green in color with the buds closed. At the beginning of the yellowing of the buds, the collection must be carried out immediately, otherwise it will be late, and the entire crop will simply be lost, that is, it will not be tasty and with a reduced nutritional value.

Harvesting broccoli cabbage should be done in the morning when it is hot.In this case, it is advisable not to cut off the heads, namely to cut them off, using the sharpest and cleanest knife for this.

Most often, 60-65 days pass from the moment the shoots emerge on the soil surface until the first harvest, usually broccoli collection continues until mid-September. The entire crop must be harvested before frost.

Broccoli, or Asparagus

Broccoli cabbage varieties

In total, the State Register currently has 37 varieties of broccoli cabbage. From early varieties broccoli is worth paying attention to cultivars: Venus, Vyarus, Green Magic and Corato, from mid-early varieties of broccoli have proven themselves well: Macho, Moscow souvenir, Naxos and Fiesta, from the category mid-season varieties of broccoli can be distinguished: Batavia, Heraklion, Gnome and Curly Head, from mid-late the best are: Ironman, Lucky, Monterey and Orantes, well, and finally, from the late ripening ones stand out: Agassi, Belstar, Beaumont and Quinta.

The special value of broccoli is its low calorie content, which makes it an irreplaceable product for dietary nutrition. In addition, this vegetable is the record holder for the content of proteins, vitamins, trace elements and other useful substances. Many gardeners get an early harvest of broccoli through seedlings, but this crop can also be successfully grown in a non-seedling way.

Characteristics of broccoli

Broccoli is an annual plant that, unlike its other relatives, forms inflorescences in the first year. It is not the leaves and stems that are eaten, but the unopened buds.

Broccoli is very similar to its closest relative, cauliflower, but at the same time it significantly surpasses it in taste and content of nutrients. Broccoli is often called asparagus for its delicate flavor.

Young unopened broccoli flowers taste like asparagus

To get a good harvest of this crop on a personal plot, you should remember about some of its features:

• Like other types of cabbage, broccoli is very moisture-loving. The optimum soil moisture is 70%.
• The culture grows best in cool conditions (16–20 ° C).
• An adult plant easily tolerates frost.
• Unlike cauliflower, broccoli heads do not need shading.
• After cutting off the central head, new lateral shoots grow on the stems, which give an additional yield.

Sowing dates

Broccoli is sown in open ground or planted with seedlings when the air warms up to +15 ° C. It is impossible for the seeds to germinate at temperatures below +8 ° C - in this case, the plant will develop poorly. When determining the timing of planting, you need to focus on the weather and climate of the region. Usually broccoli begins to be sown in the garden in April-May and continues until mid-June.

Adult broccoli tolerates a short-term drop in temperature (up to -5 ° C), but on hot days it releases flower arrows very quickly

You can plant cabbage earlier in the greenhouse, already in March. In this case, the seeds are sown 35–40 days before planting young plants in open ground.

Soil preparation

Broccoli can grow in any soil, but on soils with high acidity, it will hurt more often and develop worse. Neutral and slightly alkaline soils are well suited for this crop.

The area where you plan to grow broccoli must be prepared in advance. Many gardeners do it like this:

• In autumn, lime, ash or dolomite flour are added to the soil, after which the bed is dug up.

  To lower the acidity of the soil, you can use ordinary wood ash.

• Mineral fertilizers or humus are also applied to the soil.
• If the preparation was not carried out in the fall, then the soil is limed in the spring, a month before sowing.
• In addition, before planting, it is necessary to fertilize the soil with compost at the rate of 1 bucket per 1 m2.

  Before planting broccoli cabbage, the soil is fertilized with compost.

When growing broccoli seedlings, use a neutral or alkaline soil. You can prepare the soil for planting yourself by mixing peat, turf and sand in a 1: 1: 1 ratio. The finished soil mixture is disinfected to prevent the development of diseases. They do it as follows:

1. A couple of weeks before sowing, you need to warm up the earth in the microwave or in a water bath.
2. Immediately before sowing seeds, it is recommended to water the soil with a dark purple solution of potassium permanganate for the prevention of black leg disease.

   Before sowing seeds, the soil mixture must be watered with a purple solution of potassium permanganate

Drainage (expanded clay or stones) is placed on the bottom of the seedling containers.

Seedless growing method

Sowing broccoli outdoors allows for additional harvest at a later date. When grown in a seedless way, soil and seed treatment is carried out in the same way as when growing seedlings.

Seed preparation

To get a good harvest, you first need to prepare the planting material. As a rule, the largest seeds are selected for sowing. Their further processing is carried out in several stages:

1. The seeds are soaked for 20 minutes in warm water (about 50 ° C), after which they are kept in cold water for another 1 minute.
2. The planting material is disinfected within 5-8 hours. To prepare a disinfectant solution in 1 liter of water, you need to dilute 0.5 g of boric acid, 1 g of potassium permanganate or a tablespoon of ash. You can also add a growth stimulant to the solution.

   Sometimes gardeners use indoor aloe juice to soak seeds.

3. After disinfection, the seeds are washed.
4. They put them in the warmest compartment of the refrigerator (for example, on the shelf in the door).
5. After a day, the planting material is taken out and slightly dried.

The seeds that have emerged during the soaking process must be thrown away, since they are unsuitable for planting.

Sowing and caring for young plants

Broccoli does not like shading, so it is advisable for her to choose a calm, sunny place. Preferred planting scheme: between seeds - 35-40 cm, between rows - 60 cm. You can sow several seeds in one hole, and thin them out after germination.

After the emergence of seedlings, thickened plantings need to be thinned out

You can also use another scheme: sow the seeds twice as often (with a distance of 20 cm between them) in order to remove weak and diseased seedlings afterwards. The advantage of this method is that low-quality and non-germinating seeds are discarded, minus that diseases often occur in thickened plantings, for example, a black leg.

The process of growing broccoli from seed includes several stages:

1. Before sowing, water the soil well. Ash and urea can be added to the wells.
2. The seeds are buried 1–1.5 cm into the soil.
3. Plants are watered moderately, usually every other day. The main thing is to prevent waterlogging or complete drying of the soil. In order not to wash the seeds out of the soil, watering is carried out by sprinkling or drip irrigation before sprouting.

   You can use drip irrigation to water cabbage beds.

4. When 2-3 true leaves appear, the thickened plantings must be thinned out so that there are 40 cm gaps between them. Excess plants can be transplanted into an empty space.
5. Also, after the appearance of real leaves, additional feeding is carried out if the plants grow poorly. You can choose from one of the following nutritional mixes:
   • Take 20 g of ammonium nitrate, superphosphate and potassium chloride and dissolve everything in 10 liters of water. Pour this mixture over cabbage at the rate of 0.5 liters of solution per plant.
   • Dissolve in 10 liters of water 1.5 tbsp. tablespoons of ammonium nitrate and 2-3 g of boric acid; water the broccoli in the same way.
6. When a black leg appears, diseased plants are immediately removed. If this is not done in time, the disease will spread and destroy the entire broccoli bed.

   Cabbage seedlings affected by a black leg must be immediately removed from the garden

7. After removing diseased planting specimens, they are watered with a half-percent solution of potassium permanganate.Before that, you can carefully replace the soil above the roots of healthy plants with sand or ash (layer 1.5–2 cm).
8. In the future, cabbage should also be watered with a solution of pale pink potassium permanganate. In addition, plants can be treated with Fitosporin, Bordeaux liquid and other preparations of a similar effect.

So that during the summer there is always fresh cabbage, seeds are sown 3-4 times with an interval of one and a half to two weeks.

Broccoli is a very early ripening crop, so it is not difficult to grow a good crop when sown in open ground. It is grown in seedlings only for the purpose of obtaining super-early products. Seeds for seedlings are sown at a distance of at least 3 cm from each other, to a depth of 1 cm. Young plants are planted in a permanent place when 5-6 true leaves appear.

Predecessors and neighbors of broccoli

Do not neglect the rules of crop rotation and the choice of neighbors for broccoli. The "right" plants in the beds adjacent to broccoli will contribute to pollination and repel pests, while the "wrong" ones will lead to the development of diseases. In order for broccoli to develop well, it is recommended to plant it in a place where other crops used to grow. Do not plant cabbage after other plants of the Cabbage (Cruciferous) family.

The cruciferous family includes not only different types of cabbage, but also radish, horseradish, radish

The best precursors for broccoli are:

• beans;
• peas;
• celery;
• pumpkin;
• tomatoes;
• potato;
• onion;
• carrot.

Best Neighbors for Cabbage:

• potato;
• onion;
• carrot;
• parsley;
• salad;
• cucumbers;
• beet;
• celery;
• sage.

Tomatoes, beans and strawberries (strawberries) should not grow near broccoli.

Many pests (for example, the cabbage scoop) find their favorite plants by smell. If you plant aromatic herbs with a strong smell next to cabbage beds, they will confuse insects. However, it should be borne in mind that there is always competition between neighboring plants. Grasses should be sown in sparse "islets" in rows of broccoli or along the edges of the beds, so as not to drown out the cabbage.

Photo gallery: plants that repel pests

Thyme growing next to cabbage with its smell scares off earthen fleas and cabbage scoop Nasturtium scares off whiteflies, aphids and cabbage caterpillars Bitter wormwood protects broccoli from ants, cabbage flies, earthen fleas and whiteflies helps to reduce clutches of cabbage flies Cucumber grass (borage) sown between cabbage rows reduces caterpillar damage, and also drives away slugs and snails Dill sown to cabbage helps to significantly reduce the number of cabbage aphids Tansy scares off earthen fleas and cabbage caterpillars

Growing broccoli cabbage in a seedless way is not difficult. The main thing is to choose the right place for planting and prepare the soil. You can start sowing seeds in open ground after the onset of persistent heat. To get a good harvest, you need to carefully look after the seedlings and follow all the recommendations.

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 quite deep: 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 may 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 ensure that it does not overripe, and cut the head off 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

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 whose stems 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 piece of 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 still used, then for planting the seeds, make furrows 1-1.5 cm deep in about 3 cm increments.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 replanting 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

It is not in vain that nutritionists all over the world recommend broccoli cabbage to mankind: this vegetable contains a large amount of vitamins, minerals, trace elements and sugars. Broccoli prevents kidney disease and atherosclerosis, cleanses the body of heavy metals and toxins, and also protects it from the formation of malignant tumors.

How can you not love and grow her after that? We suggest that you familiarize yourself in more detail with agricultural technology and the basic rules for growing broccoli.

Externally, broccoli looks like green cauliflower. Just like cauliflower, we eat a dense head, consisting of unblown flower buds.

It is important to know that there are two main types of broccoli used as an agricultural crop:

Features of broccoli cabbage that you should pay attention to

• Broccoli, like any other cabbage, is photophilous and hygrophilous. The optimum soil moisture for its cultivation is 70%, and the air humidity is 85%.
• Broccoli tolerates heat and frost better than cauliflower, it can withstand frosts from -4 to -7 ° C. But broccoli works best at moderate temperatures between 16 and 20 ° C.
• In broccoli, lateral shoots grow very quickly from the sinuses, so you should not pull the plant out of the ground after cutting the central head of cabbage. You will harvest additional crops from the side shoots.
• Unlike cauliflower, broccoli heads do not need to be shaded.
• Broccoli grows well on a balcony or loggia.

Growing broccoli seedlings and planting in open ground

Usually broccoli is grown through seedlings, but the timing of its sowing is such that there is no need to tinker with boxes at home - it is much more effective to sow seeds for seedlings in late April - early May in your greenhouse. After 30-40 days, when the fifth and sixth true leaves appear on the broccoli seedlings, it is ready for planting in open ground.

For a later harvest, some of the seeds can be sown directly into the ground in early May.

This cabbage prefers loose, fertile soils with a neutral or slightly alkaline pH. Do not plant broccoli in areas where any cruciferous species grew last year: cabbage, turnip, radish or radish. Legumes, potatoes or carrots are considered good predecessors for it.

Some summer residents prefer to prepare the beds for broccoli in the fall: they fill the soil with potash and phosphorus fertilizers (manure, potassium nitrate and superphosphate), and carry out liming. By the way, egg shells, which are easy to accumulate over the long winter and summer, are perfect for liming.

Those who do not prepare the beds since autumn do not despair and perfectly make up for the lack of nutrients with the help of dressings.

So, it's time to plant your broccoli seedlings in their permanent location. This should be done in cloudy weather or in the afternoon. Planting pattern for broccoli: 40 centimeters between holes, 50-60 centimeters between rows.

Seedling moons dig deep. If fertilizers were not applied to the soil in advance, the holes are filled with a mixture of ash, compost and dolomite flour. Each plant is lightly sprinkled with earth, just a couple of centimeters above the root collar, so that most of its stem remains in the hole. As the cabbage grows, you need to pour soil into the hole until the level of the hole is equal to the level of the garden.

To protect the newly planted seedlings from cruciferous fleas, it is recommended to cover the garden bed with a thin non-woven cloth. If a flea is raging so that folk remedies against pests do not save, young broccoli is sprayed with Iskra. This can be done no later than 20 days before setting the inflorescences. In the future, dusting with ash mixed with tobacco dust or spraying with ash infusion is used from fleas.

In the future, broccoli cultivation is reduced to timely weeding, frequent watering, top dressing and loosening of the soil after each watering or top dressing.

Watering broccoli is advised every other day (in hot summer - up to twice a day) in the evening. For normal growth and development of plants, it is necessary to maintain a moist soil layer 12-15 centimeters deep.

Broccoli loves feeding, so even on manured and other fertilized beds, this cabbage is still fed.

As soon as the seedlings take root in a permanent place and begin to grow, broccoli is fed with infusion of mullein (1:10) or chicken droppings (1:20). After two weeks, feeding is repeated.

When the first inflorescences begin to form, the third feeding is carried out. For her, you can use organic fertilizers with potassium humate or a solution of mineral fertilizers - 40 grams of superphosphate, 20 grams of ammonium nitrate and 10 grams of potassium sulfate per 10 liters of water.

The following dressings are carried out after cutting the central head to stimulate the growth of lateral shoots. To do this, dissolve in 10 liters of water 30 grams of potassium sulfate, 20 grams of superphosphate, 10 grams of ammonium nitrate).

In addition, broccoli cabbage responds well to watering with nettle or comfrey infusion and adding wood ash to the soil at the rate of 1 glass per 1 square meter.

Broccoli heads must not be overgrown - they must be picked green, without waiting for the buds to open and small yellow flowers to appear. Overripe broccoli is not good for food.

First of all, the central stem is always cut when it reaches a length of 10 centimeters, then the crop is "pulled up" from the lateral shoots. The inflorescences are cut along with the shoot, since the top of the stem of broccoli is no less juicy and tasty than the heads.

Broccoli is best harvested early in the morning so that it doesn't wither in the hot sun. Early summer harvests of broccoli are not suitable for long-term storage - they will lie in a cool room for a maximum of two weeks. It is better to eat them right away or freeze them. However, late kale harvested in October can be kept at zero temperature in a basement or refrigerator for 2-3 months.

There is one more nuance in the process of harvesting broccoli: at the end of the summer season, do not rush to put the plants pulled out by the roots in a compost heap, leave them for a month just lie in the garden - take advantage of the ability of broccoli to tolerate small frosts. Even plants removed from the ground will use their last chance to tie small inflorescences, providing you with another very late harvest.

We wish you success and big harvests!

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