Growing Broccoli

Broccoli is one crop that, if the weather is right, could grow twice during the year. Ideally, conditions for growing this vegetable need to be cooler but with plenty of sun. If you’re planning to add broccoli to your garden, here are some suggestions:

• Plant in an area with full sun and rich soil. Broccoli needs about six hours of sun per day.
• The soil should well-drained and moist, with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
• Broccoli does best when the soil is rich in nitrogen. If this isn’t the case with the soil of your garden, cottonseed meal or compost manure can be added.
• Plants should be spaced 18 inches apart or 24 inches for rows.
• Broccoli should, be kept moist for the best harvest,either through regular watering or rainfall.
• Harvest the plant when buds are still tightly closed. If buds are yellow or swollen, cut the plant right away.