Broccoli is one of the he althiest vegetables of all, which is why it should not be missing in any garden. Here you can find out how to create ideal growing conditions and how to care for them properly. 
Anyone who thinks that it is difficult to grow broccoli yourself is very wrong. It's actually child's play. The great thing: plant different types of broccoli, then you can enjoy fresh broccoli from your own garden for six months. To do this, however, you must create the right conditions for cultivation and also properly care for the broccoli.
The right soil for broccoli
Broccoli depends on a generous supply of nutrients in the soil. Loose, humus-rich soil with good water permeability offers optimal conditions for he althy growth. Broccoli also gets along very well with clay soil. To prevent the clay from compacting, you can mix some sand into the soil at the planting site.
When it comes to pH, broccoli is quite demanding. An acidic substrate with a pH of six or less does not suit the plants. It also increases susceptibility to various pests. However, the problem can easily be solved with lime. Moderate liming has the added benefit of dissolving nutrients into the soil and making them available to the broccoli. However, you should regularly add fresh humus to limed soil so that the soil does not leach out in the long term.
The optimal location for broccoli
Broccoli likes warm, full sun and wind-protected locations. Don't sow dense rows, but put together a mixed culture: for example with peas, beans, cucumbers and chard. Not only is this form of cultivation beneficial to the soil, it also protects each individual broccoli from the spread of disease. Keyword clubroot and downy mildew.
Watering and fertilizing broccoli
Broccoli needs a lot of water and needs to be watered regularly. In dry summer months preferably daily. Always use the watering can to pour the water directly onto the floor. The plants themselves should remain as dry as possible. Moist broccoli attracts harmful fungi like a magnet.
As fertilizer give bestfresh compost soil enriched with horn shavings between the plants. Mulch also encourages broccoli growth. If you take the trouble to add nettle manure regularly, the plants will also gratefully accept it.
Harvest broccoli several times a year
Broccoli is only harvested once a year. However, a large number of different varieties with different ripening times are now available. You can grow the earliest varieties indoors or in a greenhouse from February, plant them outdoors at the end of April and harvest them as early as May. Sow the latest varieties directly in the bed from June and harvest in October. If you do it cleverly, you can enjoy fresh broccoli from your own garden for six months. Here is a reading tip: Harvesting broccoli and storing it properly - explained step by step.