How to Grow Broccoli: Planting Methods and Care Tips
Season
Broccoli can generally be planted in spring and autumn. In spring, seedlings are usually raised in mid-to-late January, and the seedling period is about 50-60 days. By late March, the seedlings can be transplanted, and then by late May you can harvest broccoli. If planting in autumn, start raising seedlings in early-to-mid July, transplant in early-to-mid August, and by mid-to-late October you can harvest broccoli.
Soil
Broccoli has some requirements for soil. Generally, choose loose, fertile, well-aerated soil with good fertilizer and water retention capacity for planting. Sandy soil can also be used.
Water
Broccoli has a high water requirement throughout its growth process, especially during the period of vigorous leaf growth and curd formation, when it must not lack water. Even short-term drought will reduce yield. Rainy conditions during the seedling stage or excessively high soil moisture can easily cause diseases such as black rot and black spot. During the curd formation stage, the soil moisture needs to be about 70-80% of field capacity to meet growth needs.
Fertilization
Broccoli requires relatively abundant and complete nutrients. Generally, apply 5000 kg of high-quality barnyard manure per mu, 500 to 1000 kg of decomposed dried manure, 30 to 40 kg of superphosphate, and 50 kg of plant ash.
Harvesting
Broccoli is best harvested when the curd at the top of the plant is fully swollen and the flower buds have not yet opened. When the side curds grow to a certain size and the flower buds have not yet opened, they can be harvested again. In this way, you can generally harvest continuously 2 to 3 times.
Broccoli is not a very difficult plant to grow. If you follow the steps above one by one, you will definitely be able to grow beautiful and healthy broccoli. If you really like eating broccoli, you must learn how to grow it, because after learning how to grow it, you can grow it yourself, and then you won't have to worry about the broccoli you buy outside being unhealthy.
When to Sow Broccoli: Broccoli Planting Methods
Broccoli is a biennial or annual herbaceous plant native to the eastern Mediterranean coastal region. There is a small amount of cultivation in China, mainly for Western cuisine. Broccoli is rich in nutrients, containing protein, sugar, fat, vitamins and carotene. Its nutritional content ranks first among similar vegetables and it is known as the crown of vegetables. Broccoli's morphological characteristics and growth habits are basically similar to ordinary white cauliflower (cabbage). It belongs to the Brassicaceae family, Brassica genus, cabbage species, and is a 1-2 year herbaceous plant.
I. Introduction to Broccoli
Broccoli belongs to the Brassicaceae family and is another variety of cabbage. It is native to Italy, and in recent years there has been a small amount of cultivation in China, mainly for Western cuisine. This vegetable is easy to grow and plant, can be cultivated in stages, and can be supplied for food year-round. Broccoli is between cabbage and cauliflower. The top of the main stem forms a green or purple enlarged curd, with obvious small flower buds on the surface, relatively loose rather than densely forming a head, and the tender stems of the flower buds are collected for eating. Broccoli originated along the Mediterranean coast of Europe, and because of its rich nutrition and excellent taste.
Broccoli is native to the Italy area along the Mediterranean coast of Europe and was introduced to China at the end of the 19th century. Broccoli's morphological characteristics and growth habits are basically similar to ordinary white cauliflower (cabbage). It belongs to the Brassicaceae family, Brassica genus, cabbage species, and is a 1-2 year herbaceous plant. It grows vigorously and has relatively strong heat tolerance and cold resistance. The plant is tall, and according to different varieties, after about 20 leaves grow, it produces flower stems, with clusters of flower buds at the top.
Perhaps the most notable property of broccoli is its anti-cancer and cancer-preventing effect. Cauliflower contains more vitamin C than Chinese cabbage, tomatoes and celery, and is especially effective in preventing and treating gastric cancer and breast cancer. In addition, broccoli can enhance the body's immune function. Cauliflower's vitamin C content is extremely high, which is not only beneficial to human growth and development, but more importantly can improve human immune function, promote liver detoxification, strengthen the body, and increase disease resistance.
II. When to Sow Broccoli
The normal season for planting broccoli is to start sowing in autumn, grow in winter, and normally come on the market and reach the table after Spring Festival. It begins to flower in spring and the seeds mature in April to May. Summer and autumn seedling cultivation: raise seedlings during the high-temperature season from August to October. At this time the temperature is generally above 25°C, sometimes 30-35°C high temperature, and there are also heavy rain and hail hazards, so use a shade net to raise seedlings in the open field. The seedling age is generally 35-40 days. Sowing or direct hole planting can be used. The average seedling period is about 30 days, and from transplanting to harvest is 80-90 days. It has somewhat strong winter habit; when the seedling stem diameter is 10mm, it can be affected by low temperature and complete the vernalization process.
Broccoli's light requirements are not very strict, but during growth it likes sufficient light. When light is sufficient, the plant grows robustly and can form a strong nutritional body, which is beneficial to photosynthesis and nutrient accumulation, and makes the curd compact and dense, with bright green color and good quality. In midsummer, excessively strong sunlight is also unfavorable to broccoli's growth and development.
Broccoli requires relatively abundant and complete nutrients, but its root system goes relatively shallow into the soil. Therefore, it is required to plant in fertile soil with good water and fertilizer retention. Broccoli must be harvested at the right time. If harvested too early, the flower buds have not fully developed and cannot meet the standard for the finished product; if harvested too late or encountered with high-temperature weather, the curd will spread and may turn yellow, so attention should be paid to water supply. If quality deteriorates, it loses its commercial value.
III. Broccoli Planting Methods
Broccoli does not have strict requirements for soil conditions, but if the soil is too barren, the plant will develop poorly, and yield and quality will be low; while excessively fertile soil will cause loose flower buds and hollow flower stems. Broccoli is suitable for planting in loam and sandy loam with good drainage and irrigation, deep plowing layer, loose and fertile soil, and strong water and fertilizer retention. It is a vegetable that likes coolness. Choose varieties with strong plant growth vigor, dark green flower buds, few scorched buds, arc-shaped round curds, few side buds, small buds, large curds, disease resistance and heat tolerance, cold tolerance, and wide adaptability. For example: Japan's Youxiu, Longlu, Shanshui, and other varieties such as Yuguan, Dongfang Lubao, Wanlu, Luxiu, etc., or choose various high-quality varieties according to market demand. But they must meet the national second-level seed standard before use.
Sowing: Before sowing, water the seedling bowls filled with soil thoroughly, and sow after 1-2 days. Use imported or domestic seeds, with manual spot seeding or mechanical sowing. Each packet of seeds is 10-15 grams, sown on 0.8-1 mu of land, and can raise 160,000-170,000 plants/mu. The seedling bowl specifications are 8 cm diameter * 8 cm height or 6 cm diameter * 8 cm height. Use a finger to press a small hole in the middle of the seedling bowl, and place one seed in each small hole.
Seedling separation: Generally about 15 days after sowing, when the seedlings grow to 4 true leaves and 1 heart leaf, begin seedling separation. One day before seedling separation, first water the seedlings thoroughly, then move the seedlings, break the roots, and check seedling growth. Separate large and small seedlings, promote small seedlings and control large seedlings, so as to cultivate strong seedlings and uniform seedlings. After seedling separation, set up a shade net to prevent sun and reduce temperature, and water thoroughly at the same time. Generally the seedlings grow in the greenhouse for 30-35 days, and when the seedlings reach 6 true leaves and 1 heart leaf, begin transplanting. Ensure the seedling age is consistent, which is conducive to a consistent harvest period.
Weeding: Generally use manual hoeing rather than chemical herbicides. Before the seedlings emerge, weed once. Then weed once when the seedlings grow to 1 true leaf and 1 heart leaf, and weed once before seedling separation. Weeding can also be carried out when the density of weeds reaches 3-5 plants per square meter.
Pest control: Spray green, pollution-free pesticides, generally using designated pesticides. Common diseases and insect pests at the seedling stage include damping-off, gray mold, diamondback moth, flea beetle, etc. To prevent the occurrence of diseases and insect pests, generally spray insecticides and fungicides 2-3 times during the seedling stage. Spraying can be arranged 2 days before seedling separation, 5 days after seedling recovery, and 3 days before transplanting.
Finally, the nutrients in broccoli are not only high in content but also very comprehensive, mainly including protein, carbohydrates, fat, minerals, vitamin C and carotene, etc. In addition, the mineral composition in broccoli is more comprehensive than in other vegetables. Calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, zinc, manganese, etc. are all rich, much higher than white cauliflower, which also belongs to the Brassicaceae family. That is all for today's introduction to broccoli planting methods.
Broccoli Recipes: What Are the Nutritional Benefits of Broccoli
Broccoli is very rich in nutritional value, containing protein, sugar, vitamins, fat, carotene and many other substances. Its nutritional content ranks first among similar vegetables, so it is known as the "crown of vegetables." In daily life, what are broccoli recipes and its nutritional benefits? Let's learn broccoli recipes together with the editor below!
Broccoli Recipe One: Broccoli with Oil Tofu
The ingredients needed for this dish are: broccoli, red pepper, oil tofu, scallion, ginger, salt, chicken essence, sesame oil. First wash the broccoli and break it into small florets, cut the chopped scallion, minced ginger, red pepper pieces, and oil tofu into triangular pieces, blanch the broccoli in boiling water with added salt, then remove and rinse with cold water. After stir-frying the scallion and ginger until fragrant, add the oil tofu and stir-fry for a moment, then pour in the broccoli, red pepper pieces and salt, add chicken essence for seasoning, stir-fry evenly, and before removing from the pan drizzle in a little sesame oil.
Broccoli Recipe Two: Broccoli in Superior Broth
The ingredients needed to make broccoli in superior broth are: broccoli, preserved egg, carrot, ham, chicken broth, salt. First break the washed broccoli into small florets, soak in cold water with added salt for fifteen minutes, then put some water in a pot to boil. After the water boils, add salt and a few drops of salad oil, then pour the broccoli into the pot to blanch and remove, rinse with cold water and drain. Pour the cut carrot and ham into an oiled frying pan and stir-fry, pour in the chicken broth, add the preserved egg and stir-fry, add a little salt, and finally add the broccoli and stir-fry evenly.
Nutritional Benefits of Broccoli
The nutrients contained in broccoli are not only high in content but also very comprehensive. Broccoli's most notable effect is its anti-cancer effect. It can effectively reduce the incidence of breast cancer, rectal cancer, heart disease, gastric cancer and stroke, and has the effect of sterilizing and preventing infection. In addition, the abundant ascorbic acid contained in broccoli can enhance the liver's detoxification ability and improve immunity. It has a certain regulating and preventive effect on high blood pressure and heart disease. At the same time, broccoli is a high-fiber vegetable and can effectively reduce the absorption of glucose by the stomach and intestines, thereby achieving the effect of lowering blood sugar.
Conclusion:The above is a simple sharing by the editor about broccoli recipes and its nutritional benefits. Broccoli is rich in nutritional value and has a wide variety of cooking methods. In addition to the above two, you can also make broccoli with bean crisp and cod, creamy broccoli soup, crab meat broccoli and many other delicious dishes!
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