How to Grow Broccoli? A Guide to Growing the "Queen of Vegetables" Well
Broccoli is known as the “Queen of Vegetables” and is a well-known health vegetable, rich in nutritional value, suitable for all ages, with high economic value and high returns per mu. So, what are the growing methods for broccoli? Let's find out together!
1. Sowing Time
The most suitable growing temperature for broccoli is between 5°C and 25°C, so based on the optimal growing temperature for broccoli, the usual sowing times are spring and autumn. Broccoli is neither drought-tolerant nor waterlogging-tolerant, so when watering, you must pay close attention to management and control the amount of water.
Of course, now that greenhouses are available, the growing of many vegetables does not require much consideration of the season. In a greenhouse, broccoli can also be grown well in winter. Broccoli grown in winter can be marketed around the Spring Festival, when fresh vegetables are relatively scarce, which exactly fills the market gap, and the selling price is also higher than usual, bringing substantial economic benefits.
2. Land Preparation and Seedling Raising
Broccoli is a crop grown in soil that is fertile, loose in texture, and good at retaining water. Broccoli has a relatively large demand for fertilizer during growth, so when applying base fertilizer, it must be applied in sufficient quantity to ensure that broccoli grows better. In terms of variety selection, it is recommended to choose those with relatively good disease resistance and relatively good cold tolerance. The temperature for seed germination is about 20°C.
3. Transplanting
When the seedlings have grown 5 true leaves, they can be transplanted. Pay attention to the spacing between each plant, which should be about 35cm. A plastic film can be placed over the ground, which can control water evaporation and also raise the soil temperature. Half a month after transplanting, the first topdressing should begin, and the second topdressing should be carried out when buds appear. If growing in a greenhouse, during this period you must pay attention to maintaining a good temperature, which should be neither too high nor too low. If the temperature is higher than 24°C, the quality of the curd that grows will not be very good. If it is lower than 8°C, growth will enter a very slow period.
4. Disease and Pest Control
When growing broccoli, you must pay attention to preventing diseases and pests. Broccoli is very prone to cabbage caterpillars and aphids. Pesticides should be used as soon as they first appear. It should be noted that pesticide use must stop half a month before harvest.
5. Harvesting
Broccoli is best harvested when the curd at the top of the plant has fully expanded and the flower buds have not yet opened. Harvesting too late easily causes the curd to scatter and bloom. When harvesting, cut off the lower part of the curd together with about 10 cm of the stalk. After the central curd is harvested, the axillary buds of the plant sprout and quickly grow side branches, and a curd, namely a side curd, forms at the top of the side branches. When the side curd grows to a certain size and the flower buds have not yet opened, it can be harvested again. Therefore, broccoli can generally be harvested continuously 2-3 times.
The above is the broccoli growing method compiled for you by the Tuliu.com editor. We hope it can help you.