Growing broccoli: features and care for it in the open field

Broccoli is perhaps the healthiest and most dietary vegetable. Growing broccoli and caring for this variety of cabbage is extremely easy and not burdensome. But many gardeners are wondering where is it better to plant it? In the garden, in the open field? In the greenhouse? Today I will tell you about it. I will reveal all the secrets of agricultural technology and share my personal experience.

Growing broccoli: what does it look like?

Broccoli belongs to the cruciferous and annual family. Its head is a thick, massive stem with peduncles. These peduncles have a huge number of "colors" of green and purple. They should be eaten. The leaves of this cabbage variety are large and have a dark green color. If, when grown outdoors, broccoli cabbage received a lot of light, then its leaves will become a lighter shade. The leaves are not used for food, but they are great as livestock feed. Many people confuse broccoli with cauliflower. But upon closer examination, it becomes clear that there are a lot of differences. The head structure and level of benefit are completely different between the two.

Growing broccoli outdoors: the benefits of cabbage

Broccoli cabbage combines a lot of advantages: - it feels great in our climatic conditions, calmly tolerates frost and cold weather; - firmly tolerates heat, but rainy weather does not scare it either. When grown outdoors, broccoli is very fond of water and high air humidity; - grows well in open ground; - for planting, you can use both the seedling method and sowing seeds in the ground; - broccoli yields several times in one season; - broccoli contains a lot of vitamins, suitable for feeding children.

Variety selection

Almost all varieties of broccoli are well accepted and grow outdoors. The main thing is the right choice of seeds for your climatic zone. For the middle lane, the best varieties: emperor, bun, tonus. In the Urals and Siberia, good yields are given by such varieties as: tonus and varus. Well, the southern varieties are Romanesco and Continental.

Growing broccoli seedlings for outdoor cultivation

First of all, we prepare the seeds for sowing. It's not difficult, let's sort out the seeds. We leave only the largest ones. Then we put them in warm water for an hour, then dry them well and start sowing. Sow seeds for seedlings in light, loose soil. Boxes are perfect as containers for planting. Seeds of broccoli cabbage for growing in the open field are carefully poured into the grooves, sprinkled with earth and lightly tamped. Water abundantly, close the boxes with foil, and put them on the warmest windowsill in the apartment. During growth, seedlings need to be watered often, but in moderation. After the seedlings are two weeks old, they need to be dived. To do this, I use peat pots, it is most convenient to transplant them to the garden. Broccoli can also be sown directly into the open ground; it is best to plant seeds at the end of May. For planting directly into the soil, it is best to use late varieties.

Growing broccoli outdoors: planting it in the garden

The best time to transplant broccoli to the garden is May. Broccoli is best planted in an elevated and very light area. It is best to prepare the soil for the garden in the fall. Dig well and apply organic fertilizer.If the soil in your area is very acidic, sprinkle it with lime. Do not plant broccoli close in the open field, keep your distance. Planting is best done in the evening or on a cloudy day. We make a hole, irrigate it well, fill it with ash and lower the broccoli root, sprinkle it with earth and carefully compact it. If you sowed seeds in the ground right away, the garden should be well thinned out after the shoots appear.

Care

The soil around the broccoli should be loosened once every two weeks, and it should be hilled about once a month. Watering should be done regularly, but in moderation. You need to feed it observing the rules: - after two weeks after planting in the garden, we feed the broccoli with mullein infusion; - three weeks after the first feeding, we fertilize the garden with a weak infusion of saltpeter; - the third and final feeding is carried out with superphosphates, a month after the first feeding. When the central head is already cut, feed the cabbage with compound fertilizer, this measure will allow you to get another crop of broccoli.

Broccoli diseases

When grown outdoors, broccoli traps fungi and diseases such as:

• blackleg;
• white and gray rot;
• keel;
• mosaic.

In order to protect broccoli from disease and get an excellent harvest, you need to constantly monitor the garden. Water correctly, do not allow moisture to stagnate. Weed frequently. Treat cabbage with special preparations. With proper adherence to agricultural techniques, it is not difficult to get a bountiful harvest of broccoli on your site. A little effort and broccoli will thank you.