Keep your garden growing for sustainability and get ready for a bountiful autumn harvest. Cool season veggies are calling! It is time to plant Broccoli and Cauliflower. Broccoli and Cauliflower are versatile vegetables that perform well in the fall and can be used in many different dishes to feed your family. Check out our planting tips and learn how to grow Broccoli and Cauliflower successfully in your garden!
Tips for growing Broccoli & Cauliflower in your Garden
SHOPPING CHECKLIST
To get started, you will need the following supplies:
- 4in Broccoli & Cauliflower Varieties
- Calloway’s Organic Garden Compost
- Expanded Shale
- Calloway’s Natural Garden Food
- Calloway’s Premium Organic Hardwood Mulch
- Gardening Tools – Shovel, Hoe, Rake, Cultivator, Trowel
- Gardening Gloves
- Rapitest® Soil Tester
- Watering Tools
Please note, the quantities needed for your planting supplies will depend on the size of your project. Our Texas Certified Nursery Professionals are available at every store location to help you!
PLANTING LOCATION & SOIL PREP
Choose a location that receives full sunlight during the day – about 6-8 hours. Broccoli and Cauliflower plants prefer soils with a pH of 6 to 6.5, anything below a pH of 6 could reduce the yield. To check, pick up a soil test at your local Calloway’s or Cornelius and test your soil!
Remove rocks and any debris. Rake away leaves and pull any weeds. We recommend always checking with the city and calling 811 before planting to ensure there are no utility lines underground that you need to know about.
Next, prep your soil for planting. Prepping your soil breaks up the clay, aerates the soil, and creates a better draining system so your plant’s roots have the proper environment to grow!
Soil Prep for New Beds
For new beds, spread 3 inches of expanded shale into the native soil. Then, till in 3 inches of Calloway’s Organic Garden Compost.
Calloway’s Organic Garden Compost contains a blend of composted rice hulls, composted pine bark, earthworm castings, and mycorrhizae. Mycorrhizae transports and increases nutrient uptake to plants while the organic ingredients help promote aeration of the soil for rapid root growth. It provides organic matter to enhance water and nutrient retention in the soil.
Soil Prep for Existing Beds
For existing beds, mix 2 inches of Calloway’s Organic Garden Compost into the existing soil.
BROCCOLI & CAULIFLOWER PLANTING TIPS
Spacing
Before planting, it is always good to set your plants and make sure you have the proper spacing that they require. Different varieties have different spacing requirements because of how they grow. Spacing can impact the development, thus limited spacing can create smaller heads and fewer sprouts.
Broccoli
4-inch Broccoli plants need about 12-24 inches of space between plants. Some varieties are smaller than others and have different requirements. Check your plant tag to be sure.
Cauliflower
4-inch Cauliflower plants need more room to grow as they have a wider spread. They need about 2 feet of space between plants.
Planting Depth
After you have your plants set and your soil prepped, it is time to start planting. Dig a hole that is about twice as wide as the container holding your plant, but just as deep. The top of the root ball should be level with the soil line. The stem should not be under the soil line as this could cause rot issues. Fill in around your plant with the surrounding soil. After planting is finished, water in thoroughly.
CARE TIPS
Watering
Both Broccoli and Cauliflower require moist soil conditions. It is essential to do regular watering with these plants. Avoid getting the exposed plant heads wet as this could impact the health of your plant.
Broccoli
Water regularly, about 1 – 1 ½ inches per week.
Cauliflower
Water regularly, even with rain – about 2 inches per week.
Mulch
When your garden is complete, apply Calloway’s Premium Organic Hardwood Mulch. Calloway’s Premium Organic Hardwood Mulch is a 100% organic top dressing for your garden. The shredded wood mats together to form a protective covering over the roots that will not wash away. It helps to regulate sub-surface temperature, providing a moderated environment for your plant’s roots. Mulch helps to retain moisture in the soil and helps to control weeds.
Feeding Your Plants
To promote growth, especially after the first harvest, maintaining an active feeding and watering schedule is key. Use Calloway’s Natural Garden Food as directed. Our Natural Garden Food is one of the leading fertilizers for an organic landscape. It is enhanced with a unique blend of beneficial microorganisms, which breaks down complex minerals to improve long-term soil quality. This highly enriched fertilizer also contains helpful mycorrhizae, a healthy bacteria that stimulates growth above and below the soil.
HARVESTING TIPS
Keep your plant tags! They outline the proper time to allow for your plant to reach its maturity. Different varieties may require different time-frames and it is important to take note of that. Your plants should be harvested as soon as they are ready.
Broccoli
Broccoli is ready to harvest when the first flower starts to turn yellow. Harvest in the morning when the buds of the head are firm and tight.
Cut the heads, but leave the side sprouts for a later harvest. When you cut the heads from the plant, take at least 6 inches of stem. Be sure to cut at a slant to allow water to slide away from the stalk which could cause rot.
Store in your refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Cauliflower
About 8-10 days before harvesting and when the Cauliflower head can be easily seen among its leaves, protect your plant with a process called “Blanching”. Simply, gather the longest leaves together over the head of the plant and keep them together with a soft piece of twine. This will shade the head and keep it from turning yellow.
When the head is ready to be harvested, carefully, cut the center heads when they feel tight. If past its peak maturity, the heads will begin to open and flower. The heads should be about 6-8 inches in diameter when they are ready.
Store in your refrigerator for up to a week.
ROASTED CAULIFLOWER & BROCCOLI WITH PARMESAN & GARLIC RECIPE
Broccoli and Cauliflower are a great source of protein, minerals, and vitamins. They are both versatile ingredients in the kitchen and can be enjoyed hot or cold. They can be used in dough or pastas, for healthy snacking, or for a deliciously roasted side dish.
When your harvest is ready, make your family a tasty meal with the fruits of your garden! Try this classic and simple recipe that everyone will love! Pair it with a protein of your choice and a fresh salad for a well-balanced meal!
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE RECIPE!
GARDEN WITH EASE
Pick up your supplies today at our store nearest you and plant with ease! At Calloway’s and Cornelius, we have convenient ways to shop for your gardening projects. Our open-air stores are here for you to enjoy, or you can call our store nearest you and place an order over the phone for Curbside Pickup!
Questions about plant care, availability, or quantities of plants? Call our store nearest you! Our Texas Certified Nursery Professionals are here to help with your planting needs!
Share your garden projects with us on our Facebook page or Instagram and use hashtag #CALLOWAYSNURSERY or #CORNELIUSNURSERY! We love to see what you grow and create!
