What it is
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea italica) is in the Brassicaceae (Mustard) family. Harvest the central head, then keep cutting side shoots for weeks. A cool-season heavy hitter.
How to grow it
It wants full sun, water it even, and give it rich soil. Target a soil pH around 6.0–7.0. Space plants about 18 in apart. Expect roughly 60–90. Cool-season.
How it's used
Broccoli is used: steamed, roasted, raw.
🔎 How to identify it
- Blue-green leaves
- Dense flower-bud head
- Side shoots after main cut
Edibility
PartsHeads, side shoots, leaves, stalk
UsesSteamed, roasted, raw
CautionNone.
🌤 Before you plant: check the live 7-day garden weather to time it right for frost and heat.
Part of the free Texas Roots plant database, compiled by Jordan Polasek from his greenhouse in El Campo, Texas. Free to read and share. If it helped, the best thanks is to grow something.