What To Plant By Broccoli?
Broccoli is a hearty, cold-weather crop that requires a long growing season. Spacing and companion planting can help make sure the soil stays free of pests and diseases. Broccoli is a cool-season cruciferous vegetable that does best when planted in the early spring or late fall. It’s a heavy feeder, requiring plenty of organic matter in the soil in order to grow well, so adding compost or manure before planting is recommended. For optimal growth, broccoli needs full sun and consistent soil moisture, so mulching in the summer is necessary to keep the soil cool and moist.
Though broccoli can be planted on its own, companion planting – planting two or more vegetables together – will help keep pests away. Especially when it comes to cabbage loopers, which can be a big problem for broccoli, companion planting can help avoid damage to the garden.
Frequently companion-planted with broccoli are: beans, celery, chives, garlic, onions, rosemary, spinach, and tansy plants. Planting these vegetables around broccoli can help repel insect pests such as cabbage moths, aphids, and whiteflies. Swiss chards, clovers, and radishes are also known to act as trap crops for cabbage worms, lured to them instead of the broccoli.
Broccoli is also grown as food for beneficial insects. Some varieties have been developed at an agricultural research center specifically for that purpose. These varieties are created by crossbreeding herbivore-preferred plants with insect-eliciting plants, attracting more insect predators. This is beneficial because the predatory insects will feed on the cabbage loopers, aphids, and moths that may be attracted to the garden.
Choosing plants with different traits can also help reduce pest populations. Planting a few early maturing varieties of broccoli and several late maturing varieties will help space out the production season and can reduce the chance of pests overrunning the entire crop. Other pest control techniques include floating row covers, early planting, and late-season plantings.
In addition to companion planting, planting disease-resistant varieties of broccoli can also help reduce disease problems. It is important to rotate crops in order to reduce the chance of disease, as some diseases, such as black rot, can linger in the soil for years. Choosing varieties with good resistance to common diseases, such as black rot, can help reduce the chance of disease in the garden.
Planning ahead is also important when it comes to planting broccoli. Starting broccoli from seed is the most economical way to grow it, but starting the seeds too late can mean skipped harvests and potential pest problems. It can take up to two weeks for the seedlings to emerge, so it is important to start planting them six weeks before the last spring frost for spring plantings or eight weeks before the first fall frost for fall plantings.
Best compatible crops to plant with Broccoli
There are many plants that thrive when grown in the same garden as broccoli. These plants help to increase the yield of the broccoli harvest, reduce pests, and provide additional nutritional benefits to the garden. Some of the best plants to companion plant with broccoli are:
Beans: beans are excellent companion plants for broccoli. Planting them around the broccoli allows them to use the taller broccoli’s stalks as support as they climb and reach for more sunlight. They also release nitrogen into the soil, which broccoli appreciates.
Garlic: Planting garlic alongside the broccoli helps to repel pests, especially cabbage worms. The smell of the garlic also helps to mask the smell of the broccoli, making it harder for pests to find it.
Beets: Beets are great to plant next to broccoli because they help add organic matter to the soil. Beets also help attract beneficial insects that help to control pests.
Peas: Peas help to improve the texture and fertility of soil, and are excellent companion plants for broccoli. They also provide shade for the broccoli, helping to keep the soil cool and moist.
Radishes: Radishes are great to plant with broccoli because they help improve soil drainage as well as attract beneficial insects that can help control pest populations.
Growth Requirements
Broccoli is part of the family of vegetables called Brassica oleracea, which includes Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, and collard greens. It grows best in cooler weather, such as early spring and late fall, and does not do well in hot weather. It prefers full sun, but light shade can also be beneficial.
Broccoli does best in soil that is high in organic matter. Organic matter helps to retain moisture, and broccoli needs consistent moisture to grow well. It also needs fertile soil with a pH of around 6.5 to 7.5. It is best to add lots of organic matter, such as compost or manure, to the soil before planting broccoli.
In order for the plant to grow optimally, it should be planted in a moist, well-drained soil. Mulch around the plants can help keep the soil from drying out in hot weather, as well as insulating the roots in cold weather. Planting the broccoli about 1 foot apart will ensure there is enough space for the plants to get adequate sunlight and air circulation.
Harvesting
Broccoli should be harvested before the flower buds open. Begin checking for harvest-readiness about two months after planting by gently feeling the head of the broccoli. It should feel firm and solid. Once the head is ready for harvest, cut the stalk close to the main stem. Broccoli can also be harvested multiple times, as it will produce side shoots after the main stem is harvested.
It is important to harvest the broccoli promptly, as it will become bitter and tough if left on the plant for too long. It is best to harvest it as soon as the head has reached the right size.
Preservation
The best way to preserve broccoli is to blanch it. Blanching is a method of quickly cooking the broccoli to preserve it for long-term storage. To blanch the broccoli, bring a pot of water to a boil, then carefully add the broccoli heads. Boil them for 2-3 minutes, then immediately plunge them into a bowl of iced water to stop the cooking. Once cooled, drain the broccoli, and store in airtight containers or bags in the freezer.
Another way to preserve broccoli is to pickle it. This is a great way to enjoy the vegetable throughout the year. To pickle broccoli, start by making a brine solution of water and salt. Then, place the broccoli in an airtight jar and pour the brine over it. Close the jar and leave it to sit in the refrigerator for 1-3 days before enjoying.
Nutritional Benefits
Broccoli is an excellent dietary choice, as it is packed with essential vitamins and minerals. It is high in Vitamin C, which is an important antioxidant, and Vitamin K, which is necessary for healthy bones. Broccoli is also rich in Vitamin A, B6, and folate. It is also a good source of fiber and protein, making it an excellent option for those following vegan and vegetarian diets. On top of this, broccoli contains sulfur-containing glucosinates, which have been shown to help fight cancer.
On top of providing these essential vitamins and minerals, broccoli has also been shown to help reduce inflammation, lower blood sugar, and improve cholesterol levels. Eating broccoli regularly can help to improve digestion, as well as skin and eye health, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking for an overall health boost.
Cooking With Broccoli
Cooking with broccoli is easy and fun. Broccoli can be eaten raw, steamed, roasted, or stir-fried. It can be added to salads, pasta dishes, stews, and soups. The possibilities are almost endless. Broccoli can also be used as an addition to rice dishes, or in vegan and vegetarian versions of dishes like macaroni and cheese. It can be blended into dips and pestos, roasted as a side dish, or used as a pizza topping.
When cooking with broccoli, it is important to keep in mind that it is best not to cook it for too long. Broccoli should be cooked
