How to Grow Broccoli Like a Pro: Tips for Big, Healthy Harvests!

[@curtisdrake8206]

Here in zone 10a Vacaville,Ca I've learned that if I plant my Brassicas before mid November they will grow awesome but the cabbage moths will still get them, but by December it's smooth sailing for an amazing harvest at the end of Feb or early March just in time to harvest and then transition to spring crops.

[@SherriStinchcomb]

I have been companion planting cauliflower with garlic. It's not in the books, I've checked. It tends to repell pests in zone 9, and 10, yet it also picks up a garlic flavor that my customers have been asking for. They really love it. Experiment in your garlic bed with a few, and see if your wife doesn't say " do we have to sell those at the stand".

[@TheRoulette77]

as a soocal 10a thank you so much for all you do for us... .its been great to get specific teachings for our zones climate . I cant wait to orde and try out seeds that fit our conditions... you brightened my day cheers!

[@debiebrumley3104]

I will forever cover with row cloth from now on, the bugs tore mine up but I left them and it's been so warm they went to flower and you should see the bees , bees that I never had in Dec here just outside Dallas , thanks !

[@salpine]

Check under the leaves for little yellow eggs every few days and pick them off. Look for the little green worms. And as a buffer if they’re chomping, spray with BT so they will drop before eating too much. The moths can get under cloth sometimes but it might help you space out checking them a bit longer.

[@jenpalazzo5728]

Hello from Zone 10b, South Florida.😎🌴

[@HomeCentsWithNell]

I have always struggled with broccoli, except for broccoli raab. Hopefully, I'll have a much better season with your tips. Thanks, Brigette.

[@joinmeinthedirt5186]

I’m impressed with my broccoli harvest this month and I’m loving your seed subscription, every month I can’t wait to get your seeds in the ground and I planted the potatoes yesterday. So exciting

[@GardenHappy]

I see you mentioned a seed subscription in your comment. I am intrigued I Garden in the same zone so this is something I am interested in. Thanks for mentioning that! 👍👍👍 Liz

[@tonibaloney269]

I learned from you to spray the brassicas with BT to reduce caterpillar damage. Gamechanger!

[@ChristiLynnOutside]

I learned this year that broccoli leaves are edible and delicious.

[@GardenHappy]

I just learned that as well, pretty awesome! 💚💚💚👍👍👍 Liz

[@Anaturalbeauty]

I’m in Oakland and I’m just starting brassicas, fingers crossed

[@salpine]

Just starting too in the east Bay Area. From my experience they grow great fall/winter/spring and hold up well even in our mild summers. One of my favorite crops to grow and actually eat.

[@GardenHappy]

I used to live in San Leandro! 😀😀😀

[@Anaturalbeauty]

@ awesome

[@Anaturalbeauty]

@@salpine definitely one of my favorites

[@HealyMeans]

hi 🤗 thanks for sharing another great video. im so used to planting everything at any time here in southern california, 2025 will be the year i exercise a bit more discipline and focus on planting "in season". your planting calendar will definitely help. I plan to sow a few broccoli seeds this week to see how well the plants develop (and hopefully give me at least one head), but ill make a note to start seeds in October next year.

[@Lunderwhatsen]

Birds absolutely murdered my broccolli. Cauliflower is a trooper though lol

[@christinethomas4146]

I'm in zone 10b and harvested my first broccoli plant ever this morning. I should have cut it sooner but it was still really good. Going to keep a better eye on the rest of them. I use liquid fish fertilizer roughly once a week and they seem to love that.

[@GardenHappy]

Great video as always. Broccoli grows so easily for me, but sometimes it bolts to seed. I guess I don’t get my timing right. 😆😆😆 Liz in California

[@zaria5785]

I’ve never grown brassicas. I do enjoy eating them though. Because I’m growing in containers it just doesn’t seem feasible to dedicate several containers for one variety of plant to feed my family of 4. However I may give it a try this season.

[@jeannamcgregor9967]

I've tried, here in 10a, to start broccoli and rappini in August and it just immediately goes to flower when it's 3" tall. I think our coastal climate is so mild, 500 miles north of San Diego, that I just can't start brassicas that early. My later sown ones are doing well for spring harvest. 💚

[@rjauk8086]

I'm in zone 10 and let the last side shoots flower to feed beneficials in winter, then keep at least 1 broccoli growing after harvest. It bounces back to grow leaves and i use them in place of kale and cabbage in cooking in our hot dry summers. The leaves are a lot smaller but plentiful and the plant reacts hardily when a lot of leafy veggies bolt in the sudden weather changes or hot weather. It's 41c today, and the max temp will drop to 25c wednesday after 42c tomorrow.

[@Playitagaindian]

I check the backs of my brassica leaves for the cornmeal looking eggs left by the butterflies-I smoosh those along with any that have hatched. I will be the victor!

[@giniambrosino5167]

I always cover my broccoli with hoops (concrete ladders) and insect netting to avoid aphids and cabbage worms.

[@christinethomas4146]

Same. I use netted tunnels and it is a game changer.

[@johnnyalegria]

Enjoyed video. Doing burgundy broccoli and orange cauliflower. Subscribed from Lakeside,CA.

[@iwanttobelieve5970]

I’ve only grown one broccoli and it actually just died but I had it from the winter/spring into December. I got a tiny head from it and a few side shoots but mainly I harvested the leaves. I have several broccoli seedlings now and I’m hoping to plant it out by March. 🤞🤞🤞

[@elainejohnson6488]

We have yet to dial in our broccoli. We are trying Gai Lan mini broccoli this year. Should be ready in a couple weeks. Next year we will get an August start, for sure, really. Think we have said that before. 😊

[@tamardevane6635]

I got seven cauliflower, as side shoots last year; all over 6” across from one plant. Live in the Algarve.

[@CindiM22]

Last year I grew broccoli for the 1st time. I live in Thousand Oaks. The plants did well but I had an issue with the aphids. 😮

[@Chocamatoes]

So if I want seeds from these plants I don’t eat them at all? Right? I just let them go to flower?

[@GardenHappy]

Yes, let them go to flower and not only will you get seeds, but the pollinators absolutely LOVE the tiny blooms. They are pretty too! 💙💚💛🧡💜 Liz

[@michaelrose5154]

What’s your decision point to keep the plant for side shoots or succession swap? Flowering? Flavor? Pests (if no row cover)? Or just to get the bigger heads? Does it start to get bitter or change as it gets older? I have a few that I’m letting go for side shoots but thinking about pulling them to restart so I can start another round of beets and carrots underneath, and also to give the old broccoli plants to the chickens.

[@anthonym8339]

Was that intro shot in IMAX!? Wiiiiidescreen… 😊

[@angiecove5882]

I love growing broccoli but boy do they take up a lot of room. I grow in bags and above ground birdies. So with my small garden I can only grow a few plants. Worth it though because they are delicious

[@jericox1813]

Wow!! I done everything WRONG!! Dang it , I was excited about my little fall garden. Oh well we live and we learn.

[@GardenHappy]

I don’t think we ever stop learning in the garden. I’m 62 years old and I learned something new every day still. Hahaha 😆😆😆 Liz

[@gperk929]

This is my first year growing broccoli. I chose really good seeds, it's an early sprouting purple. And I've given it good soil compost organic fertilizer kept it moist the plants are HUGE and there's no flowers what's happening

[@gperk929]

I used Victory seeds and I live in South Louisiana 9a

[@brookelahr5396]

In my experience purple sprouting broccoli takes forever to produce!! If u have the space, keep it in the ground and it should eventually get there. I have a small garden so it has been cut from my grow list.

[@foolbart]

What variety of broccoli do you grow?

[@RayStraiter]

More important, we will have to learn how to harvest broccoli like a pro. Trump's gonna deport the real pros tout suite.