Climate matters. This page is a practical baseline. Confirm cultivar, local frost/heat conditions, mature size and regional restrictions before planting.
Broccoli — Growing reference
| Scientific name | Brassica oleracea var. italica |
|---|---|
| Seed germination (days) | 5–10 |
| Soil temperature for germination (°C) | 7.2–29.4 |
| First harvest or flowering (days) | 60–80 |
| Measured from | Transplant |
| Plant spacing (cm) | 45.7–61 |
| Mature height (cm) | 45.7–91.4 |
| Mature spread (cm) | 45.7–61 |
| USDA hardiness zones | 3–10 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Moderate |
| Sowing method | indoor-start |
Growing directions
Sow seed 1/4 in deep in starter mix and keep at 70–75°F until germination, then grow on in bright light to prevent leggy transplants. Set out 2–4 weeks before last frost and fertilize with a nitrogen-rich feed at planting and again when heads begin to form. Harvest the central head while florets are still tight and dark green, before any yellow shows. Cut with a few inches of stem to encourage side-shoot production after the main head is removed.
Source and local conditions
Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.
Source & verification
OpenPlantDB · CC0