Broccoli has been cultivated for over 2 thousand years. This variety of cabbage comes from Italy, appeared in Russia not so long ago and has already found its admirers among gardeners. Many dietary meals can be prepared from it, it contains a lot of vitamin C, folic acid, and it contains more protein than any other cabbage. Broccoli is less whimsical than other types of cabbage, but its yield largely depends on observing the optimal sowing dates.
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When is it better to sow broccoli for seedlings
Broccoli is grown both by direct sowing in the ground and through seedlings. For the central and northern regions, the seedling method is preferable. Sowing time depends on climatic conditions and early maturity of the variety.
It is better to plant broccoli cabbage seeds in separate cells immediately so as not to damage the roots when picking
The optimal temperature range for broccoli is 16–25 ° C. She does not like extreme heat and drought. If the temperature is too high, especially in combination with a lack of moisture, the growth of leaves stops, the heads stop growing and become loose, and flower arrows appear.
For an earlier harvest, broccoli is grown through seedlings
Early ripening varieties (Corvette, Vyarus, Tonus) with a growing season of 75–80 days, in which the harvest ripens 45–50 days after transplanting, are sown in early spring, from March 15 to April 15, and grown on the windowsill before transplanting to the garden. In mid-early varieties (Gnome, Arcadia, Fortuna) with a growing season of 85-100 days, sowing is carried out from April 15 to June 15. Late-ripening varieties (Marathon, Laki, Continental), which have a long growing season - 180 days, do not have time to ripen in the cold climate of the Urals and Siberia, therefore they are grown mainly in the south of the country. Seedlings of these varieties are sown at the end of May.
Seeds of early ripe broccoli cabbage Tonus are sown on seedlings from mid-March
To get a harvest of broccoli cabbage all season, seeds for seedlings are sown in 3-4 doses with an interval of 1-2 weeks.
You can yourself calculate the optimal time for sowing seeds at home, focusing on the weather and climatic conditions of the region. Broccoli seedlings begin to grow 35-40 days before planting them in open ground. Early March seedlings can be transferred 2 weeks after the emergence of sprouts to the greenhouse for growing and, in the established warm weather, planted in open ground. April seedlings can be immediately transplanted to the garden bed.
Early March broccoli seedlings can be placed in a greenhouse for growing
When planning sowing cabbage for seedlings, it should be borne in mind that seedlings should be planted in the ground until they outgrow. Therefore, if the spring is protracted, the timing of planting seeds should be postponed for a week or two.
Video: planting broccoli cabbage for seedlings and the result after 12 days
Favorable time for sowing broccoli cabbage seeds in open ground
If it is not possible to grow seedlings, you can immediately sow seeds in the garden. For the temperate climate of central Russia and Siberia, early and mid-season varieties are chosen. Sowing seeds is carried out in unprotected soil in late April or early May. By this time, the soil usually warms up well and warm weather sets in with a temperature of at least +12 ° C. In the southern regions, seeds of late-ripening broccoli varieties are sown in early May.
In the settled warm weather, broccoli cabbage seeds can be sown directly into the ground
Seeds will not germinate in cold soil. And only when the soil warms up to +5 ° C and above, shoots will appear. Moreover, the warmer the environment, the faster the sprouts appear: when the soil warms up to + 11 ° C, the seeds germinate on the 12th day, up to 20 ° C - after 3 days. On a prepared bed, several cabbage seeds are placed in the holes at a distance of 5 cm from each other, sprinkled with soil and watered. Since return frosts often occur in the central and northern regions in spring and even at the beginning of June, it is necessary to cover crops with a film or make a tunnel shelter on arcs using agrofibre. On warm days, the film is removed so that the seedlings do not stretch.
To prevent return frosts from damaging broccoli cabbage crops, they are first covered with agrofibre
After the appearance of the first true leaf, the seedlings are thinned out with an interval of 10 cm between them. After 2 weeks, re-thinning is carried out. When ripe, broccoli heads can be quite large, so at least 50 cm should be left between the plants. A seedless way of growing broccoli not only frees gardeners from additional concerns about seedlings, but also contributes to the formation of more viable plants with strong taproots.
Broccoli seedlings sown in the ground grow more viable
In glass greenhouses or film greenhouses, where the soil warms up in early spring, the sowing of seeds of early and mid-season varieties begins as soon as the snow melts, from the second decade of April. After 4–5 days, shoots appear. Broccoli seedlings that love cool temperatures and fresh air will thrive in an unheated greenhouse. If necessary, you can additionally cover the seedlings with foil. Such conditions will allow the seedlings to grow strong, healthy, harden well and easily transfer the transplant to the garden.
Video: sowing seedless tomatoes and broccoli in open ground
When is it better to plant broccoli seedlings in the ground
After 35–40 days after sowing, the seedlings are planted in open ground. By this time, the seedlings should grow up to 10-15 cm in height and have 4-6 leaves. Overgrown seedlings take root worse.
Before transplanting to a garden bed, delicate plants must be tempered - open the vents, making sure there is no draft, then take them out onto the balcony for 3-4 hours, gradually increasing the time spent outdoors, be sure to shade from direct sunlight.
Before planting in the garden, broccoli seedlings should be hardened in a cool place, shading from direct sunlight
Do not delay the transplantation into the ground - the overgrown seedlings take root worse. Seedlings are planted on the site in mid-May, usually in the morning hours or in cloudy weather. The air temperature outside must be at least +15 ° С. Broccoli is a cold-resistant culture, young plants withstand short-term temperature drops to –2 ° С, adults - to –7 ° С.However, prolonged cooling has a negative effect on cabbage and leads to the formation of arrows. And for unhardened seedlings, slight frosts down to –1 ° C can be fatal. Therefore, during a cold snap, it is better not to rush to disembark.
Before transplanting, the seedlings are watered - plants with a lump of moist earth are easily removed from the cups, the roots remain intact.
On a previously prepared bed, holes are made according to a 45 × 60 cm scheme and well spilled with water. Plants are placed in the holes, without shaking off the roots from the ground, and sprinkled with soil. If the seedlings have overgrown and are too elongated, remove the 2 lower leaves and deepen them a little more into the ground.
Leave 45 cm between broccoli seedlings, 60 cm between rows
After planting, watering is carried out again. If the day is hot and sunny, the seedlings should be shaded after watering so that they take root easier and faster.
Video: super-productive option for planting broccoli cabbage
Favorable time for sowing and planting broccoli cabbage in 2019 according to the lunar calendar
Gardeners with experience, when sowing seeds or planting plants on the site, try to take into account the recommendations of the Lunar calendar, which is compiled annually, taking into account the various phases of the night star and its passage through the zodiacal constellations. The most favorable period for sowing seeds and planting seedlings coincides with the growing moon. At this time, there is an active sap flow upward, lunar energy contributes to the intensive growth and development of plants. Transplanting seedlings to the garden at this time, even if the roots are slightly damaged, will be less painful. Plants will quickly take root, will be more robust. These days are also the most favorable time for watering and feeding.
The lunar calendar is compiled annually, taking into account the phases of the Earth's satellite and its passage along different signs of the zodiac
In the phase of the waning moon, the vital activity of plants slows down, the juices at this time rush to the root system. When picking or planting, you can accidentally touch the roots of broccoli cabbage, which will significantly worsen the condition of the plants: they will be weakened and significantly lagging behind in growth.
It is undesirable to carry out sowing and planting work in the full moon and new moon. During the full moon, which lasts 3 days, it is better to do thinning and weeding of the beds. The new moon also lasts 3 days. At this time, it is better not to weed and not loosen the ground, so as not to accidentally touch the roots, but to engage in the prevention of diseases.
The most favorable period for watering broccoli cabbage is on the growing moon
Table: favorable and unfavorable days for planting broccoli cabbage in 2019
| Period | Month | |||
| March | April | May | June | |
| Auspicious days | 7, 8, 18, 20, 21 | 4–6, 8–10, 20–23 | 8–12, 19–24 | 5–6 |
| Unfavorable days | 1–3, 16–18, 30, 31 | 15–17, 29, 30 | 14–16, 28–30 | 12–14, 27–29 |
By sowing or planting in accordance with the lunar cycle, you can accelerate the growth of seedlings, improve their vitality and get a rich harvest.
Broccoli cabbage planted in a favorable location of the moon, gaining vitality, gives a rich harvest
Even a novice gardener can grow broccoli. This vegetable crop does not require complex maintenance. If you plant cabbage at the optimal time, based on the climatic characteristics of the region and taking into account the recommendations of the lunar calendar, green pets will quickly grow the root system, develop correctly and delight with a high-vitamin harvest.
