Step-by-step instructions for growing broccoli cabbage in the garden

Growing broccoli seedlings

Broccoli is most often grown using seedlings. It is this method that allows you to get good harvests in the middle lane, in the Moscow region, in Siberia and the Urals.

Which varieties to choose

When choosing a variety, be guided by the climatic conditions of your region. In the northern regions, it makes sense to purchase only early or mid-early varieties and hybrids that ripen in 60-100 days. These include:

• Batavia F1;
• Curly head;
• Moscow souvenir F1;
• Vitamin.

Medium varieties mature in 105–130 days. Among them:

• Ironman F1;
• Fortune;
• Dwarf.

In the southern regions, cultivation of late varieties, which mature in 130-145 days, will also be successful. These include:

• Marathon F1;
• Agassi F1;
• Parthenon F1.

When buying seeds, make sure that they have not expired. It is recommended to use the largest ones for planting.

Sowing dates

Seedlings are planted in late March or early April, approximately 30-40 days before transplanting into open ground. In this case, the early varieties are already harvesting in June.

Seedling preparation

Before planting, it is recommended to keep the seeds for 20 minutes in warm water, the same in cold water, and, finally, for 6-7 hours in a solution of "Heteroauxin" or another growth stimulator.

For growing broccoli seedlings, boxes 25 cm high are suitable. Drainage is laid on their bottom with a layer of 1 cm. The soil should be nutritious and loose, easily allowing water and air to pass through. A mixture of equal parts of sod land, humus, river sand and wood ash works well.

Before planting, the soil is sprayed with a spray gun, then grooves are made in it with a depth of 1 cm, seeds are planted in them, sprinkled with soil and carefully compacted. The optimal distance between rows is 3 cm, between plants of the same row - 2.5 cm.

Before the emergence of seedlings, the temperature in the room should be at the level of + 19 ... + 20 ° С. Then, if possible, it is lowered for a week to + 9 ... + 11 ° С. After that, the temperature regime is maintained at + 12 ... + 17 ° C during the day and + 8 ... + 10 ° C at night.

The soil is kept moist, but not flooded so that fungal diseases do not develop.

Two weeks later, a pick is carried out into individual pots, preferably peat ones. The soil is used the same as for seeds. After that, the cabbage is shaded from direct sunlight and at the same time the temperature is raised to + 20 ... + 22 ° C.

If the seedlings reacted normally to the pick, after two days, fertilizing with nitrofos is carried out: 1 tbsp. l. in a bucket of water, 50 ml of solution for each pot.

Two weeks before planting, the final hardening begins. First, the seedlings are taken out to the balcony or veranda for 2-3 hours, gradually this time is increased. 2-3 days before disembarkation, cabbage is left to spend the night outside.

Sowing seedlings and caring for it

Seedlings are transplanted into open ground when 5 or 6 true leaves appear on the stems.

The place should be well lit.A week before planting, the bed is dug up, weeds are removed and rotted manure or compost is added to the soil at the rate of 3 kg per 1 sq. m. Holes are dug in 1-2 days according to the scheme 35x60 cm.

It is advisable to transplant on a cloudy morning. The wells are watered and 6–7 g of nitrophosphate is added to them, mixing it with the ground. Then seedlings are placed in them and watered again. If there is a threat of sub-zero temperatures, cover the cabbage with jars or cut plastic bottles.

For several days after transplanting, the seedlings are shaded from the bright sun. On hot days, it is not only watered, but also sprayed. Hilling is carried out two weeks later, then one more week later.

Video "Planting broccoli seedlings in the ground"

In this video, you will learn how to properly plant broccoli cabbage outdoors.

Growing cabbage outdoors

A warm spring is important for growing broccoli outdoors, so this method is most suitable for warm regions, such as the Krasnodar Territory. In the middle lane, it is used with caution.

When to plant

Planting seeds in open ground is allowed after the average daily temperature reaches +10 ° C and lasts a week. For the middle lane, this is approximately the beginning of May.

Some experts recommend planting cabbage at the moment when the buds of the apple trees awaken.

Disembarkation instructions

Broccoli does not react well to the soil in which other types of cabbage previously grew. The best predecessors for her are cucumbers, tomatoes and legumes.

If the soil is acidic, a few weeks before planting, lime must be added at the rate of 200 g per 1 sq. m.

A week before landing, 1 sq. m beds make 4-5 kg ​​of humus or compost, or 1 glass of wood ash.

Water the soil before planting. The holes are made according to the scheme 60x40 cm, 1 cm deep. 2-3 seeds are planted in each.

If there is a threat of frost, the bed can be covered with foil or spunbond.

Care

An important rule of care is regular abundant watering. For young plants, it is desirable that the soil is constantly slightly moist.

Fortified cabbage can be watered once a week, but if the daytime temperature is above +26 ° C, it is advisable to do this more often. Spraying is very helpful for broccoli, especially if the soil is clayey and heavy.

Agricultural rules include frequent feeding. The first time fertilizer is applied 12-14 days after transplanting. You can use a solution of chicken manure (1:20) or mullein - 250 g per bucket of water. In the second case, you also need to add a teaspoon of urea or other nitrogen fertilizer. Application rate - 1 liter per 1 sq. m.

After 18–20 days, nitrogen fertilizers are applied, for example, ammonium nitrate.

The third feeding is carried out when the inflorescences are formed. Under each plant, 4 g of superphosphate, 1 g of potassium sulfate and 2 g of ammonium nitrate, dissolved in 1 liter of water, are added.

After collecting the central heads, the same substances are introduced, but in a ratio of 2: 3: 1, respectively.

Possible diseases and pests

The main pest that infects broccoli is the cruciferous flea. It may appear already on seedlings recently planted in the ground. Before the formation of inflorescences, it can be fought with the help of the "Iskra" preparation. Then, only spraying with infusions of tobacco dust or wood ash is used. You can also sprinkle the plant with a dry mixture of these ingredients.

From other pests, including herbs planted nearby help:

• celery from earthen flea;
• dill from aphids;
• peppermint from cabbage.

Of the diseases for cabbage, fungal infections are dangerous: keela, black leg, alternaria, powdery mildew, leucorrhoea. They usually appear due to care errors, in particular overflow. To combat them, fungicides are used, and if the inflorescences have already appeared, then folk remedies: a solution of soda, potassium permanganate, daily infusion of ash.

Features of growing in a greenhouse

Varieties such as Calabrese, Tonus, Lazarus, Caesar, Continental, and other early varieties and hybrids are especially suitable for growing in a greenhouse. If the structure is heated, planting of seeds can be carried out already in December, but in this case additional lighting with phytolamps is necessary. In an unheated greenhouse made of thick polycarbonate, seeds can be planted in March.

Before planting, the soil and seeds must be treated with a solution of potassium permanganate in order to get rid of pests and fungal spores.

Air humidity should be at the level of 80–85%. An excess of it will provoke fungal diseases, a deficiency - slow development and poor productivity.

Fertilizers are applied in the same way as for open ground.

Harvesting and storage

It is important to cut off the broccoli heads before they bloom. Otherwise, both taste and nutritional value deteriorate. You can determine the right moment by the ripening rate for a particular variety.

The heads of cabbage should be dark green, firm and firm. It is best to cut them in the morning. To do this, use a sharp and clean knife so as not to infect.

This cabbage cannot be kept fresh for a long time, it can only be canned or frozen.

Although broccoli is quite demanding to water and feed, its stamina helps to cope with minor grooming mistakes. Provide the plant with the right conditions and you will be rewarded with a generous harvest.