Into The Bloom: How To Grow Broccoli At Home

From soups to fritters, broccoli now makes it to all our daily recipes and we aren't complaining. Though broccoli is easily available in the market, there is nothing like growing your broccoli in your home garden. Growing broccoli in your home garden is a rewarding experience. Here is a step-by-step guide to growing broccoli at home.

How To Grow Broccoli At Home?

• Broccoli is available in a variety and basis your location, you can pick the one that grows best in your region. 
• Buy good quality broccoli seeds from a nursery. 
• Broccoli grows well in well-drained soil. Get some compost added to the soil to boost vegetable growth.
• Take a big pot, add the potting mix, and plant broccoli seeds at least 18-20 inches apart. 
• Place the plant in full sun. Choose an area where the plant gets at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight.

• Water the broccoli plant well, it needs moisture to grow. 
• It can take 4-6 weeks for the seeds to develop into seedlings. 

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• In the next two months, the seedlings will turn into broccoli heads. The time can vary based on the variety of broccoli you are growing.
• Broccoli's are ready for growth usually within 60 to 85 days. Broccoli is ready for harvesting when the colour of the head changes to dark green. When harvesting, make sure you cut just the main head and not the side shoots to boost growth.

Tips To Grow Broccoli Plant Quickly

• For a healthy broccoli plant in your home garden, firstly, pick the right variety of the vegetable. Look for a variety that grows quickly like 'Belstar'. 
• To ensure quick growth, place the plant in adequate light, it requires 6-8 hours of sunlight every day. If you are growing it indoors, use an artificial light to fuel growth. 
• The potting soil should be slightly acidic to neutral. Let the gardening expert know your requirements. 

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• Keep watering the plant frequently. Broccoli grows quickly if the soil is moist. However, avoid overwatering. 
• Mulching always boosts broccoli growth, keeps the soil moisturised, and also regulates the temperature essential for the plant.
• For broccoli plants, you need a fertiliser that is well-balanced and organic. Other than regular fertiliser, use a nitrogen-rich fertiliser that promotes quick growth of the plant.

• Keep a check on pests and diseases like slugs, aphids, and cabbage worms. Get organic pest control spray from a nursery or neem oil on the heads or seedlings to keep pests and diseases at bay.
• Place the plant in an area where it gets a good amount of natural air. This will also help in pest and disease management.
• Always plant the broccoli seedlings correctly. They should be placed at a distance or the seedlings can catch pests. 
• Harvest broccoli as soon as the head is mature. If you delay harvesting, it can lead to flowering on the vegetable which further affects its taste and quality. Timely harvesting also enhances the growth of the plant overall.

Remember that consistency plays a key role when it comes to growing plants at home. Be consistent with your care, and follow all the growth tips to encourage healthy growth.