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Fall Broccoli: Planting Tips and Recipes

Aug 23, 2010; 12:36 PM ET

Extend your harvest! A second-season crop will allow you to enjoy fresh vegetables into fall. Plus, there are fewer pests in cool weather. What's better than that?! This week, we'll focus on broccoli, a cool-season crop. A member of the cabbage family, broccoli is rich in vitamins and often tastes best in the fall, thanks to less variable weather versus spring.

Note: if you live in the North, there isn't time for broccoli to grow before the first killing frost; consider second-season crops such as mesclun, spinach, and radish. If you live in the South, next month will be the time to start cool-season vegetables. See our Succession Gardening Chart to get last planting dates for second-season crops that fit your region.

Broccoli Planting Tips

- Broccoli is hardy; it can germinate at temps as low as 40F.

- Broccoli requires full sun and moist, fertile soil that's slightly acidic.

- If you live in a warm climate, a fall planting is best, as broccoli thrives in cool weather.

- Try the "Packman" variety--one of the earliest to mature in 50+ days. Or, try broccoli rabb--grown for its leaves as well as the stalks.

- If you transplant, assume 10 fewer days for growth or the "days to maturity" on the seed packet.

- Work in 2 to 4 inches of rich compost or a thin layer of manure before planting.

- Space plants 12 to 24 inches apart, depending on the size of the heads you want to harvest.

- Plant seeds 1 inch deep, 3 inches apart. You will need to thin seedlings.

Now, find out how to care and nourish broccoli plants--and when to harvest! See the free Broccoli Plant Guide on Almanac.com.

Broccoli Recipes

For flavorful and nutritious broccoli, just cook until it's tender and bright green. Don't overcook! Here are some great recipes from The Old Farmer's Almanac recipe archives:

- Broccoli Quiche

- Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo

- Firecracker Beef

Check out over 30 recipes using broccoli on Almanac.com.

Did you know? One ounce of broccoli has as much calcium as one ounce of milk.

Browse all of the Almanac's free "how to" plant guides--for all of the most common veggies, herbs, and fruit!

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