In this article, you are going to learn how to grow broccoli from scraps and seeds. Read on for a detailed step-by-step guide.
Broccoli is one of the members of the Brassica family. A family which includes vegetables like cabbage, lettuce, and cauliflower. Broccoli is quite nutritious and the cultivation is also very straightforward and simple. The vegetable can be grown from both seeds and stems. However, the broccoli that is grown from seeds tends to be the one with the highest quality. Those grown from seeds, you will find out that they are less susceptible to pests and diseases.
In this article, I will explain how to cultivate broccoli from both stems and seeds so that you can choose the one that suits you.
How to grow broccoli from scraps or stems
Here is a step by step guide on how to grow broccoli from broccoli:
1. Choose a good broccoli stalk: choose good broccoli scraps that have their stems intact and not damaged. You can alternatively use stems from live broccoli. Do not use items that have signs of diseases and pests attack.
2. Prepare the broccoli stems for planting: cut about 20cm length broccoli stem. Make sure you remove the heads, leaves, and allow only the stalks. Depending on how much broccoli you want to grow, you can prepare broccoli stems as many as you want.
Read also: How To Grow Spinach In Pots (12 Easy Steps)
3. Place the broccoli stems in water: find a glass cup with a clear transparent background. Add water into the glass cup which can swallow 5 cm of the broccoli stems. You can add up to 3-4 broccoli stems in one glass cup. Replace the water in the glass cup with new water when the water turns dark brown.
4. Watch for new roots or sprouts: after some days in water, the broccoli stems will start to grow new roots. You can leave them in this water environment so that the new roots and leaves can grow a little bit. But, do not leave them until they grow into true leaves and roots. This is because when they grow true leaves and roots, they will begin to need nutrients and space which are not obtainable in the water environment.
5. Prepare your potting mix: when you first notice the broccoli stems start growing new roots, start preparing your potting mix. Find a good container of a reasonable size and fill it with good potting soil. The soil should be well-drained and fertile. If you are using garden soil, make sure you add coarse sand, compost, and shredded or chopped wood.
Read also: Can You Grow Cucumbers From Cucumber? Here Is What You Need to Know
6. Transplant your broccoli sprouts: when you are done with preparing the potting mix, transplant the broccoli sprouts from the water to the potting mix. Plant 1-2 sprouts per container. If you have sprouted many broccoli stems, do not overcrowd them in one container. Find more containers and plant 1-2 sprouts. Make sure you insert each broccoli sprout in a hole that can accommodate the roots. If you are planting two broccoli sprouts in one container, make sure you leave about 3-5 inches of space between them.
Read also: How to transplant plants from one place to another without killing them
7. Water your broccoli sprouts: water the potting mix and broccoli sprouts gently to keep them moist. This helps to reduce stress and improve quicker roots and leaves development. But, avoid flooding the sprouts with water. You need just to water them to keep them moist.
8. Place the container in a right place: broccoli loves partial shade and a ventilated area. So, locate a place that receives about 2-6 hours of direct sunlight and keep the container (s).
9. Take care of your broccoli: after you have finished setting everything up, you need to look after your broccoli. Feed them with a low nitrogen-rich fertilizer after transplanting. You can alternatively add compost tea or chicken droplets. Water at regular intervals to keep the potting mix moist.
Tip: learn more on how to take care of your garden
How to grow broccoli from seeds
Here is a step by step guide on how to grow broccoli from seeds:
1. Choose the right variety of broccoli seeds: the first step to growing healthy broccoli from seeds is to choose the right variety of broccoli. While there are many varieties of broccoli on the shelves, the best rule of thumb is to choose a variety that is well adapted to your climatic conditions. You can get these varieties from your local gardeners and garden centers. If you are still confused about choosing and buying seeds, read our step-by-step guide on how to choose and buy seeds from here and here.
2. Choose the right time for planting broccoli: broccoli is one of those vegetables that love the partial shade. Broccoli likes sun but also prefers a reasonable amount of cooler temperature. Seeds of broccoli are usually planted or grown indoors in USDA zones 3 and 4 around 6-8 weeks before the last frost. While the seedlings are transplanted outdoors 5-6 weeks later. Gardeners in zones 5-6 usually sow broccoli seeds outdoors around middle or late spring. And for zones 7-9, broccoli is best grown in autumn.
Basically, you can grow broccoli seeds in any area that receives about 2-6 hours of direct sunlight. But, avoid places with extreme sunlight or heat.
Read also: How To Grow Spinach From Cuttings And Seeds
3. Choose a good location: the next thing after your buying broccoli seeds and knowing the right time to plant them is to choose a good location where you will plant the seeds. Broccoli loves a well-drained, fertile soil with a pH near neutral. Also, find a location that receives at least 2-6 or 8 hours of sunlight daily. (Tip: learn more on how to choose the right garden spot.)
4. Prepare the garden spot: use your garden rake to loosen the top 10 inches of the soil. Remove all large rocks, stones, and plant roots. Mix in 10-10-10 fertilizer or follows the instructions given on the seed package. Make rows and leave about 24 inches of space between them. Add 2-3 inches of compost in rows.
Tip: Learn more on how to prepare a garden spot
5. Plant your broccoli seeds: dig 0.5-inch holes and make sure you leave about 18 inches of space between holes. Direct sow 2-3 seeds in each hole and gently cover with soil.
Tip: learn how to grow plants from seeds
6. Water the garden soil: after you finish planting the broccoli seeds, water the garden soil gently with water to keep the soil and seeds moist. This moisture helps to speed up the germinating process. But, you need to avoid over-watering or flooding your broccoli garden. Just water enough to keep the soil moist.
7. Take care of the garden: water the garden timely. When you notice the top inch surface is dried, water to keep the garden moist. After about 5-14 days, the seeds must have all germinated. Thin the seedlings and leave the only seedlings per stand. Feed them with a low nitrogen fertilizer every 3 weeks. Watch for weeds and remove them to reduce competition. If the temperature is too high, consider mulching to reduce heat and direct effects of sunlight.
Read also: How To Grow Pumpkins Successfully: 9+ Questions And Answers
Conclusion
I looked at how to grow broccoli from both scraps and seeds. I hope you will find this article helpful. Let me know if you have any questions.
