Broccoli: location, varieties & harvest time

Broccoli is rich in vitamins and minerals. Here you can find out everything you need to know about successful cultivation and a high-yield harvest.

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italic) also spelled broccoli is closely related to that cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) related. Depending on the region, the type of cabbage is also known by the following synonyms: Sprout cabbage, crumbled cabbage, asparagus cabbage, Italian asparagus.
The origin of the broccoli is believed to be in Asia Minor. Seeds were brought to Italy via traders, where the cabbage had been cultivated for centuries. Only in the 16th In the 19th century it came to France through the Medici and from there it was spread all over the world. Even today, Italy is still one of the main broccoli growing countries.

Contrary to the usual preparation in Italy, the leaves and young stalks are prepared in a similar way to asparagus. So it is hardly surprising why broccoli is also called Italian asparagus. In Germany, however, this preparation could hardly prevail. As before, only the inflorescences with the buds still closed are offered and processed.

This is how broccoli can be grown in your own garden

In contrast to its other cabbage relatives, broccoli places higher demands on the soil. He is a heavy eater and needs a nutrient-rich, humus-rich and well-drained soil. It is best to use a nutrient-rich and diluted soil like our Plantura Organic tomato & vegetable soil. This comes completely without peat and contains all the nutrients for hungry broccoli. Alternatively, garden soil is enriched with plenty of compost before planting. A sunny location is preferred. In order to thrive, broccoli needs sufficient water in the dry summer months. A layer of mulch will help hold moisture in the soil longer.

There is precociousness sorts and later, which in our part of the world are only harvested in autumn. Depending on the variety and the desired harvest time, it can be sown between March and June. If you sow broccoli for several weeks, you can enjoy fresh and tasty broccoli from your own garden almost all summer and autumn. The seeds should be covered with about 2 cm of soil. After the broccoli plants are around 10 to 15 cm tall, they can be pricked out and planted out at a distance of 30 to 60 cm. A close planting with a distance of about 30 cm is only suitable for compact varieties such as Kabuki or Cezarthat can also be grown on the balcony or terrace.

If the broccoli has been planted in nutrient-rich soil, it only has to be supplied with a primarily organic fertilizer with nitrogen and potassium after about three months. Our Plantura is ideal Organic tomato fertilizer with long-term effect. However, you should stop fertilizing a few weeks before the first harvest. This makes the broccoli particularly aromatic.

You can find detailed step-by-step instructions here: Growing broccoli: sowing, care and harvest time.

Broccoli varieties

When buying seeds, one should pay attention to the respective properties. There are earlier and later varieties. There are also so-called sprouting varieties that overwinter outdoors. In early spring these form many smaller flowers: a wonderful spring vegetable!
You can find an extensive overview of varieties here: Varieties of broccoli: choosing the right variety to grow.

• Calabrese: old and well-known variety from Italy; large and several small flowers; The variety tends to have many side shoots and enables a constant and good yield.
• Calinaro: more compact variety with large heads and a very good taste; popular in hobby cultivation and with smaller, direct marketing companies.
• Cezar: compact variety that stands out due to its blue-greenish color; the main shoot forms relatively large heads.
• Kabuki (F1): small and very precocious variety that is even suitable for the balcony; forms many smaller heads on the side shoots.
• Parthenon (F1): vigorous and richly productive variety that produces good yields even in cooler climates; compact and tightly packed heads; popular in commercial cultivation.
• Rosalind: old cultivar with red-purple heads; The variety branches out strongly and thus always brings good harvests for weeks.
• Summer Purple: quite undemanding variety of sprout broccoli that even beginners can grow successfully; Variety branches strongly; purple heads.

Broccoli harvest: Check inflorescences and harvest in good time

After the first harvest, broccoli forms new shoots on the side shoots, which can also be harvested a few weeks later. You should always cut off the stalk when harvesting, as this promotes the formation of side shoots. The inflorescences should be harvested just before the buds break. Broccoli grows very quickly during the hot summer months, which is why the plants should be checked and harvested regularly.

If you grow broccoli yourself, you can ensure that there is no chemical spray. Young plant parts can also be harvested and prepared in addition to the broccoli heads. Do not you believe? It is definitely worth a try. Young stems can be peeled and then boiled or blanched in water, as is known from asparagus. The taste and texture are actually reminiscent of green asparagus with a cabbage-like aroma. If you are already experimenting, the young leaves should also be tried. These can be prepared like spinach. Alternatively, you can briefly fry the leaves in a little olive oil or butter. In terms of taste, the leaves are delicate and aromatic.

The closed inflorescences can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days. If you want to benefit from the many vitamins, broccoli should be consumed as soon as possible after harvest. If you have harvested more than you can use, it is a good idea to cut the broccoli into small pieces and then freeze it.

Diseases and pests in broccoli

Young plants often suffer from leaf damage by Nudibranchs. Even Earth fleas can damage the leaves. There are also the common diseases and pests from which almost all types of cabbage suffer. These include the Cabbage fly, the Cabbage white butterfly and the infamous Carbonic hernia.

In general, as with all types of cabbage, no type of cabbage should be grown in the same location for at least three to four years. If you want to be particularly sure, the remaining parts of the plant can be pulled out of the earth after harvest and then disposed of in the residual waste. The soil can then be limed.

Ingredients and uses in broccoli cooking

Broccoli is rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and C as well as in minerals, especially potassium, iron, zinc and calcium. The low calorific value of around 30 kcal per 100g also makes it interesting for diets.

While broccoli can be cooked in many ways, the most gentle method is steam cooking, which preserves most of the vitamins and minerals. Broccoli that is boiled in water usually releases many important substances into the water and thus loses its nutritional value.

In order to preserve as many vitamins and minerals as possible, broccoli should only be steamed briefly (about 8 to 10 minutes). This not only preserves the valuable ingredients, but also ensures a certain firmness. Alternatively, you can sauté broccoli in a little butter for a few minutes and season with garlic, salt and nutmeg.