When to Plant: Broccoli is best started indoors and transplanted as a young start into a raised bed planting. Plant out in late March to early April to allow broccoli to develop during our cooler months.

Light: Sun to Partial Shade

Soil: Broccoli prefers slightly acidic soil (pH 6-6.5) but can tolerate outside that range to an extent. Have your soil tested at your local extension office if soil pH is a concern.

Provide moisture when the top 1-2” of soil is dry and for sure when you notice wilt. Avoid watering in the evenings to prevent wet leaves and heads overnight.

Time between watering cycles is determined by your soil type and climate.

Fertilize broccoli upon transplant by side dressing or mixing into soil at planting. After 3 weeks, you may want to side dress again with a nitrogen rich fertilizer.

Spring planted broccoli is typically harvested in Kansas in June to early July depending on the cultivated variety of broccoli planted.

In hot years, broccoli does not thrive and may bolt early, resulting in undesirable heads.

If we’re lucky and have a good year for broccoli, two harvests can be achieved from one plant. After harvesting the terminal head (the first main head), several smaller heads will form for a second crop.

Because broccoli is in the Brassicaceae family, it is most susceptible to aphids and cabbage worms.

Scout plants every watering to check for worms and aphids, especially on leaf undersides. You can knock off aphids with a hard stream of water and mechanically remove any caterpillars that start to appear. Avoid spraying as these pests are best controlled mechanically.