Broccoli Planting Time and Planting Methods Explained

People today are very focused on healthy living, so vegetable varieties with high nutritional value are becoming increasingly popular, such as cabbage, purple cabbage, and broccoli. Today we are going to learn about broccoli planting time and planting conditions.

I. Planting Time

It is understood that broccoli is generally sown and planted in autumn, then grows through winter, and can officially go on the market after the Spring Festival.

II. Environmental Requirements

1. Soil

Broccoli's requirements for planting soil are actually not strict, though soil that is too fertile or too poor will still have a certain effect. A soil pH of 6 is best, and sandy soil and loam soil with good fertilizer and water retention are both suitable.

2. Moisture

Broccoli has a high water demand, so even short-term drought will affect its yield.

3. Light

During the growing process, broccoli likes relatively abundant sunlight.

4. Temperature

The most suitable temperature for broccoli germination is 20 to 25°C, and the suitable temperature for growth at the seedling stage is 15 to 20°C. Broccoli has good heat tolerance and cold tolerance.

III. Seedling Raising Techniques

1. Variety Selection

Broccoli is a vegetable that likes cool conditions. Choose varieties with strong plant growth vigor, dark green flower buds, few blind buds, arc-shaped round heads, few side shoots, small buds, large heads, disease resistance, heat tolerance, cold tolerance, and wide adaptability, such as the Japanese varieties Youxiu, Longlu, and Shanshui; for other varieties, Yuguan, Dongfang Lubao, Wanlu, Luxiu, etc., or choose various high-quality varieties according to market demand, but they must meet the national grade-two seed standard before use.

2. Sowing Time

For autumn double-mulch cultivation, sow in early July; for overwintering cultivation in a solar greenhouse, sow from late July to August; for early spring cultivation in a solar greenhouse, sow from early September to early October; for early spring cultivation in plastic tunnels and small arched sheds, sow in November; for spring plastic film cultivation, sow in January.

3. Seed Treatment

① Seed soaking

Soak the seeds in 33°C warm water for 15 minutes, stirring constantly, and stop when the water temperature drops to 20°C. Continue soaking in warm water for 4 hours, rinse clean with clear water, and then germinate.

② Germination

Wrap the soaked seeds in moist cotton gauze and germinate them at 30°C. Rinse once a day with clear water, and sow when 60% of the seeds have sprouted white.

4. Field Seedling Raising

① Seedbed selection

Broccoli's seedling stage is relatively short. Choose a seedbed in a field with high terrain, convenient drainage and irrigation, soil rich in organic matter, and where no cruciferous vegetables have been planted in the past two years or the previous crop was rice. A north-south orientation for the seedbed is preferable.

② Apply sufficient base fertilizer

Deep plow 15-20 days before sowing; 7-10 days before sowing, apply 15 kg of ternary compound fertilizer plus 5 kg of superphosphate per mu, or splash-apply 2500 kg of decomposed human excrement and urine, to ensure sufficient nutrient supply during the seedling stage. Turn and rake the soil thoroughly, and make a sowing bed about 1.2 m wide, with a seedling field ratio of 1:20-30.

③ Mix with pesticide and sow

Before sowing, water the seedbed thoroughly once, and apply chemicals such as 1000-fold phoxim to prevent underground pests. When sowing, mix the treated seeds evenly with an appropriate amount of sand and spread them evenly in the seedbed. After sowing, press down with an iron shovel, then spread a layer of medicinal soil mixed with 0.1% carbendazim and dexon.

④ Shade and keep warm

In summer, spread a layer of shade netting flat over the seedbed, set up a small arched shed, and then cover with another layer of shade netting for double-layer shading, moisture retention, and cooling seedling cultivation. In winter and spring, use one layer of plastic film and one layer of greenhouse film for double-film coverage to keep warm during seedling cultivation.

5. Nutrient Solution Seedling Raising

Nutrient solution seedling raising is currently a relatively good seedling raising method. It has the characteristics of low cost, convenient management, high seedling survival rate, and centralized seedling supply, and is welcomed by production and processing enterprises.

① Substrate

Vermiculite 25%, peat 65%, perlite 10%.

② Substrate stacking and disinfection

After fully and evenly mixing all the raw materials, use 50-100 fold formalin (40% formaldehyde) and spray it evenly on the substrate, then cover it tightly with plastic film. After sealing for 4-5 days, remove the film for ventilation, and turn the nutrient soil so that the formaldehyde volatilizes away. It can be used after 2 weeks, and the pH of the substrate needs to be adjusted to 6.5-7. If too acidic, adjust with lime; if too alkaline, neutralize with dilute hydrochloric acid.

③ Sowing

Fill the plug trays with substrate, water thoroughly, then use a special hole-punching machine to make sowing holes, use a seeder to sow the seeds into the sowing holes, and cover with substrate.

In recent years, the planting prospects for broccoli have become increasingly good, and more people than before want to grow broccoli. The above summary of key broccoli cultivation points can be referred to when you have time.