How to grow broccoli in open ground

Broccoli began to be cultivated not so long ago, but the crop quickly gained popularity among gardeners. It is unpretentious, easy to grow, can withstand prolonged drought and is resistant to cold. Broccoli can be grown in greenhouses, on a windowsill or in open ground. The article will tell you how to grow it in the open ground at your dacha.

Growing broccoli in open ground

Asparagus cabbage seeds look like black peppercorns. They have a round shape, a diameter of 1.5-2 mm, and a red-brown or brown color. At pre-sowing treatment of seeds swell with water, increasing in size 1.5-2 times, after which they produce a short stem with the first leaves, simultaneously taking root. A few days after sowing, the first shoots appear.

After 2 weeks, the seedlings reach a height of 2-3 cm and already have the first leaves. During this period, picking is carried out, trying not to damage the delicate roots. After 30-40 days from the moment of sowing, the seedlings have 4-5 full leaves, as well as a strong root system. This depends on the growing conditions; sometimes the time frame can take up to 40-50 days. After the onset of optimal weather conditions, the seedlings are planted in the ground.

Ripe broccoli florets externally resemble cauliflower, however, they are not creamy, but rich green in color. Overripe inflorescences become yellow in color and are unsuitable for consumption.Mature ones have a diameter of 12-15 cm, closed buds, heads, colored depending on the variety in different shades of green.

Reference! Yellowing buds indicate the broccoli is blooming. Such cabbage loses its taste characteristics and becomes unsuitable for consumption.

Learn more about the process of growing in your garden

The process of growing broccoli is not particularly difficult.. Cabbage is easy to care for and can produce several harvests per season. Cabbage is grown in two ways: direct sowing in the ground and through seedlings.

Sowing seeds

Early ripening varieties are suitable for direct sowing of seeds. The optimal timing varies depending on the region and weather conditions of the current year. Most often, the dates fall at the end of April, but it is possible earlier with the obligatory covering of the crops.

Reference! When sowing seeds directly into the soil, the harvest is harvested later compared to the seedling method.

When can you sow directly in the garden?

Sowing seeds in the ground is carried out provided that the soil is well warmed up and there is no risk of frost.. Most often, these dates occur at the end of March or beginning of April in warm regions and mid-to-late April in colder regions. The daytime temperature should remain stable and be at least +16°C, and the average daily temperature should be at least +10°C during the week.

Reference! Experienced gardeners focus on apple trees. If the buds on the trees have hatched, you can sow broccoli in the ground.

Sowing algorithm

Before sowing, the seed is prepared and hardened:

1. Select the largest seeds.
2. The seed is immersed in hot water +45...55°C for 20 minutes, then in cold water for a minute.
3. Dip into a solution of potassium permanganate and boric acid (1 g and 0.5 g, respectively, per 1 liter of boiled water at room temperature) and leave for 12 hours.
4. Immerse in a solution of wood ash for 5-6 hours - 1 tbsp. l. for 1 liter of water, leave for 2 days.
5. Wash with clean water and place in the refrigerator for a day.
6. Dry on gauze until slightly damp to the touch.

Prepare the broccoli bed in advance:

1. In the fall, at the intended sowing site, 40 g of ammonium nitrate, 30 g of superphosphate and potassium chloride are added to the soil.
2. In the spring, 3 weeks before sowing, add compost - 10 liters per 1 square meter. m.
3. When preparing the holes, add 300 g of wood ash and 1 tsp. urea.

The bed is designed according to the following scheme: 35 cm between holes, 50 cm between rows. The depth of the holes is 20-25 cm. Immediately before sowing, they are well moistened, and the seeds are sown “in the dirt.”

Reference! It is allowed to sow on beds without holes, followed by thinning of the shoots.

Planting seedlings

In our country, broccoli is grown more often seedling method. This reduces the time until harvest and increases the survival rate of sprouts. Seeds for seedlings are sown in containers 20-25 cm high, then greenhouse conditions are created until seedlings emerge. They are planted in individual containers, hardened, and 35-40 days after sowing they are planted in open ground.

How to grow seedlings

Growing seedlings takes place in three stages:

1. Seed preparation.
2. Sowing.
3. Picking.

Sowing broccoli for seedlings start at the end of February or beginning of March.

Seed preparation is carried out according to the following algorithm:

1. The largest specimens are selected.
2. Soak in water at +50°C for 15-20 minutes.
3. Immerse in cold water +10…12°C for a minute.
4. Soak in a solution of a growth stimulator for 7-8 hours.
5. Rinse under running water.
6. Place in the refrigerator for a day.
7. Dry on a napkin until it flows.

The container for seedlings is prepared by soaking in a slightly pink solution of potassium permanganate. A layer of expanded clay or small pebbles is placed on the bottom. The thickness of the drainage layer is 0.5-1 cm. The top is covered with a soil mixture of equal parts of humus, turf soil, fine river sand and wood ash. The soil is moistened from a spray bottle with rain or melted snow water.

In moist soil, make grooves 1.2-1.5 cm deep. Leave 2.5-3 cm between them. Seeds are placed in the prepared grooves at a distance of 1 cm from each other and sprinkled with soil, tamping it lightly.

Picking is carried out after the appearance of two leaves - usually 14-15 days after sowing. Individual containers for seedlings are filled with the same soil mixture in which sowing was carried out. The soil is moistened with a spray bottle and a small depression is made in it. Using a wooden stick, remove each plant from the main box, being careful not to damage the roots, and place it in the hole of an individual pot. The soil around the transplanted plant is carefully compacted and watered with a spray bottle.

How to care for seedlings

After sowing broccoli seeds, it is necessary to create greenhouse conditions for them.. Cover the container with glass or plastic film, opening it once a day to ventilate the soil. After the emergence of seedlings, the film is removed, and the boxes with seedlings are taken out to a room with a temperature of +10...+12°C for a week. After this, during the day in sunny weather the temperature is maintained at +14...+16°C, in cloudy weather - +11...+13°C. At night, containers with seedlings should be kept in a room where the temperature does not exceed +10°C.

Reference! Optimum humidity is 85%, it is maintained using a spray bottle.

Watering the soil is carried out with melt or rain water at room temperature., spraying the soil with a spray bottle. The soil should not be overwatered; too wet soil promotes the development of blackleg.

After diving, the seedlings are shaded from the sun's raysto avoid burns on young plants. The optimal temperature for storing seedlings is +20...+22°C in the first 2-3 days after picking. After the seedlings have taken root in the new containers, fertilizing in the form of nitroammophosphate (1 tbsp per 10 liters of water) is applied at the root - 50 ml of solution for each plant. Then the temperature is maintained at +16...+18°C during the day and +8...+10°C at night.

2 weeks before planting in the ground, seedlings are hardened on the balcony or loggia. For 4-5 days they are taken out for 2-3 hours, then for 8-10 hours for 2-3 days. After this, the seedlings are left for a day. A couple of days before planting, the seedlings are left on the balcony overnight.

Rules for planting in open ground

For planting seedlings in open ground you need to follow a few rules:

• Seedlings that have formed 5-6 true leaves are considered ready;
• planted in May - early June, if the soil is not warm enough;
• the landing site is maximally illuminated and protected from winds;
• broccoli is planted after carrots, onions, potatoes or legumes;
• optimal pH – 6.5-7.5;
• planting in the ground is carried out in cloudy weather early in the morning;
• planting pattern – 35*50 cm;
• the holes are watered generously with water, adding 6-7 g of nitroammophoska;
• In the first days of sunny weather, the planted seedlings are shaded.

If frost is expected on the ground, seedlings are covered with glass or plastic jars.

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Caring for broccoli in the garden

Caring for cabbage in the beds includes loosening, which is often combined with hilling, weeding, regular watering, fertilizing and pest control.

Watering

Watering is carried out once a week using sprinkling method. In dry and hot weather, the frequency of watering is increased to 2-3 times a week. One of the waterings can be replaced by spraying the foliage.

What to feed

The first feeding is carried out after 14 days after landing into the ground mullein solution (250 g per 10 l) with the addition of 1 tsp. nitroammofoski or a solution of chicken manure (1:20). There is 1 liter of solution per well.

The second fertilizing is carried out with nitrogenous fertilizers 18-21 days after the first. It is better to use a solution of ammonium nitrate (2 tablespoons per 10 liters of water) in a volume of 1 liter per well.

The third feeding is carried out in the 3rd decade of August potassium-phosphorus fertilizers. The working solution is prepared from 30 g of superphosphate and 10 g of potassium sulfate. For 1 well use 1.5 liters of solution.

After harvesting the central head, additional feeding is carried out nitroammophoska (1 tbsp per 10 liters of water) at the rate of 1 liter per well.

Loosening and weeding

Weeding is done regularly as weeds appear in the beds, preventing them from overgrowing. Loosening and hilling is carried out after each application of fertilizers.

Protection from diseases and pests

To protect against pests, broccoli crops are treated with a decoction of tomato tops (1 kg of greenery per 3 liters of water), spraying the plants with it once a month. Pests are repelled by green manure. Dill crops will protect the beds from cabbage aphids, and peppermint will help from cabbage aphids. To combat the cruciferous flea beetle, 20 days before the inflorescences set, the beds are treated with a working solution of “Iskra” or any other insecticide.

Conclusion

Growing and caring for broccoli in open ground is not difficult and does not require special equipment or effort. If you follow the recommended agricultural practices, you will receive your first harvest 2-3 months after planting the cabbage.