Broccoli

Broccoli is a very useful crop to grow if you are selling to a private or specialty market, as broccoli is available at times of the year when it may be difficult to obtain other vegetables from local sources.

Depending on the variety, broccoli seeds can be sown from April through the middle of July.

Broccoli seeds should be sown on a seedbed that is covered with a light dusting of lime.

Be sure to hoe the soil at regular intervals.

Transplanting can be done at different times of the year, depending on the variety.

Avoid transplanting into soil that is very loose or very rich.

If you are planting early in the year, you should use soil that has already had manure added for an earlier crop. You do not need to add any more manure.

You can add a fertilizer containing potassium when the plants are about one fourth grown.

When planting broccoli later in the year, you can supplement the soil with farmyard manure, potassium sulfate, ammonium sulfate, sodium nitrate or hydrated lime.

You may substitute potassium sulfate and bone meal if farmyard manure is not available.

Place the plants in rows that are 2 1/2 feet apart. Within the rows, the broccoli plants should be 2 feet three inches apart.

If you are planting during a dry season, fill holes with water and then place the plants inside them.

Once you have transplanted all of your broccoli plants, you should hoe the soil approximately every fourteen days, more often if necessary.

At least twice a week, look over the plants and cut off any heads that are ready for cooking and eating.