Here’s a great article by blogger, writer and nature lover, Brianne, who recently got in touch and asked if she could write for Hard To Beet. Thanks, Brianne!
Broccoli is one of my all-time favourite veggies so I really hope you enjoy finding out a little more about it…
High in fiber and nutrients, broccoli is a healthy addition to any plate. Weight watchers and health conscious people love this vegetable. It is known to contain a bounty of vitamins and minerals. In addition, it has also been established that the chemical sulphoraphane and compound I3C present in the vegetable help to ward off cancer. The vegetable can be effortlessly grown in your garden or backyard. Easy to follow instructions to do the same have been given below.
Conditions required for growth
Pick a breezy and sunny sport to plant the vegetable. It will do just fine in partial shade also. A mild temperature favors its growth. There should not be too many plants in the vicinity of the shoot as it can spurt to a height of 3 feet easily. Soil with a neutral pH, i.e. a value of 7, is best for broccoli. But the plant can also be potted in soil which has pH between 6.4 to 7.2. In addition, ensure that the soil has excellent drainage and no plants belonging to the Brassica genus category like cauliflower have been cultivated on it during the last 5 years.
Sowing the seeds
The seeds should be planted at the end of winter or onset of spring. The right time would be the first few weeks of spring or a couple of months before the last frost. If you want to harvest the plant earlier, just start the seeds indoors before planting them in the soil. For this you must germinate the seeds about 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Plant the seeds in rows keeping each kernel about 15 to 18 inches apart. The rows should be at a distance of 30 to 32 inches from each other. Broccoli can also be transplanted easily. So, you can first sow the seedlings in the seed bed and later transfer them to the soil.
Tending to the plant
The plant needs a good downpour. Hence, when it does not rain much, you should tip down water covering the plant with a 1-2 inch deep stream. Keep the soil around the plant adequately moist. You will need to deter growth of weeds and insect infestation. Adding mulch keeps weeds at bay and coverings like papers collars will take care of bugs. The plant will need additional nutrition when the central head of the broccoli starts to pop out. So, this is a good time to toss in some extra manure as well as compost and water the plant thoroughly. Figuring out the time to harvest is really easy. You just have to watch for the broccoli heads to grow to a full size. Getting the time right is really important as fresh harvest always has a better flavor.
Broccoli is a healthful vegetable that can be served in many ways. Steam it, douse it in sauces or add it raw to your salads. It tastes good with meats, veggies, rice and breads. The bright hue of the vegetable adds a dash of vibrant color to any spread laid out on the table. If you have a liking for this vegetable, then you must give a shot to cultivating it on your own.
About the author: Brianne is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on gardening and the environment. Beside this, she is a nature lover. Recently, an article on biomass energy attracted her attention. These days she is busy in writing an article on glass tiles for her blog.
