Growing and caring for broccoli in open ground in Siberia

Unpretentious and resistant to low temperatures, broccoli grows well even in regions with cold climates. In this article we will tell you when to sow broccoli seedlings in Siberia and how to grow it in the garden in open ground and in a greenhouse.

Growing broccoli seedlings in Siberia

Broccoli is grown from seeds or seedlings. For the Siberian region, the second option is most acceptable, which involves planting plants with several leaves on the stem. This allows them to quickly adapt to harsh climate conditions and take root in the soil. But for this, it’s a good idea to stock up on high-quality seed material in advance.

When to plant broccoli for seedlings

If at the beginning of May the soil temperature has already risen and remains at 10°C, by this time it is time to transfer the seedlings to open ground. The May date is counted back 30 days. It is during this time that the seeds will have time to grow into full-fledged seedlings with strong leaves and a stable stem. The seed sowing date is set for the end of April.

Attention! Do not reduce the number of days for broccoli to germinate and strengthen, even if you are confident in the quality of the planting material.

Sowing and caring for seedlings

It will be possible to obtain viable cabbage only from carefully discarded seeds. They are dipped into the liquid and their integrity is checked:

1. Prepare a solution from 1 liter of water at room temperature and 35 g of non-iodized salt.
2. Seeds are planted in it.
3. After 5 minutes, the biomaterial is checked: all settled grains are suitable for sowing, those that float are thrown away.

Selected seeds are placed in clean water to remove excess salt. Then soaked in aloe juice. Only freshly squeezed product is suitable for this. The plant component will disinfect the grains and saturate their surface with useful microelements. After 15 minutes from the start of the process, the seeds are transferred to a moistened surface or into a prepared container.

After the seeds swell and the first shoots appear, a period of gradual hardening begins. To do this, the ambient temperature in the room is reduced to +7...+5°C for a day. To do this, open a window for ventilation or take the material out onto a glazed balcony.

The sprouted material is moved into prepared pots for seedlings - 3 sprouts in each. The planting depth should not exceed 2 cm. Broccoli in the ground is watered with water at room temperature, covered with cling film and transferred to a warm place until the first shoots appear.

When to plant in open ground in Siberia

The time to start hardening the seedlings comes approximately 10-15 days before transferring the broccoli to open ground:

1. The window is opened for 2-3 hours a day. This is done 2 days in a row.
2. Then the plants are transferred to the balcony with the windows closed for the same period.
3. After the transom, it is recommended to gradually open it slightly and leave the seedlings for longer periods.
4. And only before directly moving into the soil can the crop spend the night on the balcony.

After a month-long hardening procedure, broccoli seedlings take on the appearance of grown planting material. Only in this state can it be moved without fear into open ground. Small bushes are planted in the evening and in cloudy weather so that the sun does not have time to scorch the tender leaves of the seedlings. It is better to allocate an area for asparagus cabbage where there is no constant bright light, and the sun provides only scattered rays.

Reference. Burdock is considered the best neighbor for broccoli. Its wide leaves create shade.

By the time the seedlings are transferred, the ground temperature should be at a constant level of +10°C. The soil is prepared in advance for planting young plants and fertilized with minerals. Simultaneously with the transfer, a handful of ash or a shovel of humus is poured into each hole.

The soil must be moistened. The cabbage is moved into holes dug at a distance of at least 30 cm, the gap between the rows is 50 cm. It is forbidden to expose the root - it remains with its earthen lump. When planting, it is completely hidden in the hole so that the soil reaches the first leaves.

How to plant seedlings

The germination period for seedlings is about a month, so there is time to prepare the soil for transferring broccoli seedlings into it. For this purpose, the following work is performed:

1. They dig up the future area for cabbage with the addition of organic matter.
2. Clean it of any plant debris present.
3. Check the acidity of the soil. For broccoli, ideal values ​​range from 6.7 to 7.4 units.
4. If an elevated pH level is detected, the soil is limed.

The scheme for planting broccoli seedlings is as follows: create a wide furrow measuring 35x60 cm. It is better to plan the event in the evening.

Young plants are carefully lowered into the planting hole and watered, covered with soil and compacted around the stem. Then they moisten and cover with cling film, which is removed only after the night temperature has risen above +5°C.

Caring for broccoli in open ground in Siberia

Asparagus cabbage is distinguished by the durability of its planting material, so it does not cause much trouble throughout the growing season. Of the agrotechnical measures, only regular watering, fertilizing, loosening and weeding are mandatory.

Water young seedlings no more than 1-2 times a week. If the recommended regime is violated, there is a risk of drying out or waterlogging of the soil. After the procedure, the tree trunk circle is loosened and weeds are removed. If the summer is rainy, weeding and loosening is reduced to once a week.

Feeding broccoli for the entire period is carried out in 3 stages:

• 14-15 days from the moment of disembarkation to a permanent place;
• 3-4 weeks after the first procedure;
• one month before the scheduled harvest.

For this purpose, industrial farmers are advised to alternate organic fertilizers and mineral additives.

Subject to all recommendations for growing and caring for broccoli in the open ground, the gardener is guaranteed a high-quality harvest.

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Growing in a greenhouse

For northern lands, growing broccoli in greenhouse conditions is considered the best option. After all, under the cover of the film, plants will be protected from the negative effects of ultraviolet rays. Greenhouses with installed heating can protect young plants from harmful temperature changes, wind and snow.

In a protected shelter, asparagus cabbage develops equally well both from seeds and from ready-made planting material. For greenhouses, seedlings begin to be prepared approximately 5 weeks before transferring to the greenhouse. Seeds are planted in the ground in mid-May. A prerequisite is to establish a positive temperature at night from 12°C and from 18°C ​​during the day.

Asparagus cabbage requires a deep fertile layer at least 10 cm thick. It is prepared in the fall. To do this, compost and lime are added to the soil. The last component can be replaced with eggshell crumbs.

2 weeks before planting the seedlings, the soil is treated again: phosphorus-potassium and nitrogen fertilizers are applied to promote the growth of young plants. Ready seedlings, characterized by the presence of 5 leaves on each plant, are planted in prepared and moistened soil.

Young broccoli will adapt faster if the soil from the temporary pots matches the greenhouse soil. Plants are planted at a distance of 30-40 cm. When replanting, care is taken not to damage the delicate roots.

Attention! Watering is carried out when the root system of the plants has become accustomed and strengthened (no earlier than a week).

Conclusion

Asparagus cabbage is characterized by resistance to temperature fluctuations. When growing from seeds, the required time for germination and soil preparation is clearly specified so as not to spoil the planting material. And it’s better to even bother creating a greenhouse on the site. Under these conditions, it is more likely to obtain a high-quality broccoli crop.