🥕 Broccoli

Brassica oleracea var. italica

vegetables brassica (cole crop)

☀️ Sun

Full sun (6–8 hours); tolerates partial shade

💧 Water

High; 1–1.5 inches per week; consistent moisture critical for tight, tender heads; mulch to retain soil moisture

🗺️ Zones

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

🪴 Soil Type

Rich, well-drained loam with very high organic matter; brassicas are very heavy feeders — incorporate compost and aged manure before planting

🧪 Soil pH

6.0–7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral); slightly alkaline soils reduce clubroot risk

💧 Drainage

Well-drained but moisture-retentive; raised beds recommended in clay; consistent moisture prevents stress

📏 Spacing

18–24 inches apart; rows 30–36 inches apart; wider spacing for larger heads

📅 Days to Maturity

55-85 days (from transplant); 70-100 days from seed

🍴 Edible Parts

🍽️ ["Flower heads (and tender stems)"🍽️ "Leaves (broccoli leaves are edible \u2014 cook like kale or collards)"🍽️ "Stalks (peeled🍽️ sliced \u2014 excellent for stir-fries and slaws)"]

🤝 Companions (7)

🤝 Dill

Attracts parasitic wasps and hoverflies that prey on cabbage worms and aphids; improves broccoli growth and flavor

🤝 Celery

Celery's strong scent repels cabbage white butterfly; broccoli provides some shade

🤝 Chamomile

Improves broccoli flavor; attracts beneficial insects; antifungal

🤝 Rosemary

Repels cabbage moths and flea beetles; strong aromatic oils mask brassica scent

🤝 Nasturtium

Trap crop for aphids — draws them away from broccoli; repels cabbage worms

🤝 Beet

Beets add minerals to soil that broccoli needs; different root depths; minimal competition

🤝 Potato

Broccoli and potatoes thrive together — conflicting: some sources say brassicas may stunt potatoes; most modern sources say they're compatible with different root depths

⚠️ Keep Apart (3)

⚠️ Tomato

Brassicas and tomatoes are antagonistic — brassicas may stunt tomato growth through allelopathic root exudates

⚠️ Strawberry

Strawberries may stunt broccoli growth; broccoli can inhibit strawberries

⚠️ Other Brassicas (too close)

Same pest and disease pressures (clubroot, cabbage worms, aphids); heavy feeders in same root zone

💊 Medicinal Uses

["Sulforaphane \u2014 one of the most studied anti-cancer compounds in food; released when broccoli is chopped/chewed (raw or lightly cooked); targets cancer stem cells", "Indole-3-carbinol \u2014 supports liver detoxification and hormone balance", "Extremely high in vitamin C (more than oranges per 100g), vitamin K, and folate", "Contains kaempferol \u2014 anti-inflammatory flavonoid"]

📝 Notes

Broccoli is a cool-season crop — best in spring and fall. Heat causes bolting (premature flowering) and bitter, loose heads. For best sulforaphane content, chop broccoli 40 minutes before cooking to allow enzyme reaction, then lightly steam (not boil). After main head is cut, side shoots develop for secondary harvest for weeks. Clubroot is the most devastating brassica disease — maintain proper pH (some raise to 7.0-7.2) and rotate brassicas on 4-year cycle.