Broccoli is a dietary product that has a mild flavor. It is often used in baby food. In this article, I will tell you how to plant broccoli at home and what to do to get a good harvest.
Variety selection
There are many varieties of broccoli. Sessantina grossa, Early rapini, Sorrento are perfect for growing at home. These varieties are distinguished by excellent taste, therefore they are the most popular. In addition, they ripen quickly - up to 55 days.
The yield will depend on the correct choice of variety. If you make a mistake, all the work of caring for the culture will go down the drain.
Sowing seeds
Broccoli do not tolerate picking, so I usually plant the seeds in separate containers. Most often I use plastic disposable cups for this. Before loading the soil at the bottom, I make holes for drainage. This method allows you to transplant seedlings without damaging the root system.
Seedling transplant
From sowing seeds in cups to transplanting to a permanent place, it usually takes about 40 days. By this time, the plants should form 5-6 leaves.
Transplant process:
- As a container for growing adult plants, I use old buckets and large flower pots.
- I fill the containers with the prepared substrate. I make it from 10 kg of earth from the garden, 1 kg of ash, 200 g of sand and 200 g of lime.
- In prepared containers, I make indentations in the center.
- I water the seedlings in cups well, after which I take out the plants along with an earthy clod.
- I place the seedling in a recess and sprinkle it with earth to the lower leaves.
- I put pots and buckets on pallets of water. You need to make sure that there is water in them all the time.
- As I grow, I move the pots so that the plants do not obscure each other.
Aftercare
After transplantation, the culture must be properly cared for. It is important to water and feed the plants in a timely manner.
Watering
I water the seedlings with a moderate amount of water under the root. The earth should get wet 15 cm deep. Watering frequency - 2 times a week. On hot summer days, I additionally spray the plants from a spray bottle in the evening.
top dressing
15 days after transplantation, I carry out the first feeding of plants. I breed 2 tbsp. l. in a bucket of water. I pour about 800 ml under each bush.
The second time I fertilize in another 2-3 weeks. To do this, I dilute 100 g of chicken manure in 20 liters of water and insist for three days. I pour 700–900 ml of the product under each plant.
When the inflorescences begin to form, I apply mineral fertilizers. To do this, in 10 liters of water I dilute 40 g of superphosphate, 20 g of ammonium nitrate and 10 g of potassium sulfate. I pour 500 ml of solution under each bush.
After the first harvest, I spend the fourth dressing. It is necessary to stimulate the formation of new inflorescences. In a bucket of water I dilute 20 g of superphosphate, 30 g of potassium sulfate and 10 g of ammonium nitrate. I pour 500 ml of the product under the plant.
It is necessary to monitor the appearance of broccoli. It can be used to determine the lack of nutrients. With a lack of nitrogen, broccoli slows down growth, and the lower leaves turn yellow and fall off. With a low potassium content, the leaves become bronze and their edges begin to dry. Lack of boron makes the stems weak and thin.
Loosening and hilling
After each watering, be sure to loosen to a depth of 10 cm. I spud the stems a day after top dressing. I remove germinated weeds.
Growing broccoli at home is quite simple. If desired, this can be done even in the apartment. The main thing is to choose the right variety, regularly water and fertilize. Tell us about your experience growing broccoli in the comments.
Read also: Apricot cultivation - rules, planting details and useful care tips
Another related article: Gymnospermous pumpkin: description. My recommendations for growing and further care of the plant
Friends, do not forget to subscribe to the channel and leave a LIKE if the article is useful!
#broccoli#cultivation and care#garden