Broccoli is a cool weather crop. Last year, I found it a very easy crop to grow when planting seedlings early before spring. The plants grew to a large size and produced a small crop of broccoli until the hot weather arrived. Then the plants just got big with very little crop. So, I cut them way back and they continued to grow. Then, I had to cut them back again.
The fall saw them growing again. During the winter they started producing a good size crop of broccoli. A hard freeze came and froze some of the tops and outside branches. These affected areas were trimmed back and in February I was still picking broccoli. I found that I could plant my broccoli in the spring and still enjoy the same plants in the fall.
Fall broccoli transplants will be showing up at the plant centers in September. They should be planted mid to late September. Broccoli has a shallow root system so use a well-drained bed with lots of organic matter. Select transplants with 5 or 6 leaves. When planting, the transplant should be set about twelve inches apart. The soil should be just below the first set of leaves. Keep the soil moist until the plants have had a chance to establish roots. Shade from the heat and sun by using milk cartons, shade cloth or shingles.
Harvey Collen, Smith County Master Gardener
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