Broccoli Limba

Brassica oleracea convar. botrytis var. cymosa - Limba

Broccoli is rich in fiber, beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, folic acid, minerals, and flavonoids. It also has a low sugar and fat content, making it not only very healthy but also diet-friendly. It originates from the Mediterranean, from the Apennine Peninsula area. One plant will even provide multiple harvests!

To preserve valuable nutrients, it's better to steam broccoli rather than boil it. It can also be eaten raw. It can be prepared by braising, boiling, frying, or added to salads after brief cooking, and is often part of frozen vegetable mixes. Broccoli leaves are edible and can be prepared similarly to cabbage!

How to Grow Broccoli

• Plants tolerate higher temperatures in summer and lower temperatures in autumn. Broccoli requires deep, loamy-sandy, humus-rich soil with calcium content and sufficient organic matter. Summer heat causes premature development of flower buds and the plant quickly bolts, so light partial shade with cooler air flow is suitable. It tolerates frost down to -6°C. During head formation, we limit overhead watering to avoid degrading the edible part. Never let the soil where broccoli is growing dry out completely. Keep the surrounding soil weed-free and cultivated.

• Spring crops are sown in January or February. We transplant them to beds in April or May at 45×45 cm spacing.

  Summer crops are sown from March to May. We transplant them to beds in June at 50×45 cm spacing.

  Autumn crops are sown in June. Transplanting to beds takes place in July at 50×40 cm spacing.

  Seeds are sown in sterilized substrate. Germination requires daytime temperatures of 15-18°C, nighttime between 12-16°C. Greenhouses or cold frames are suitable for spring sowing. We transplant broccoli to its growing site when it has at least 5 leaves and a stronger stem. After transplanting, cover broccoli with non-woven fabric, which ensures uniform temperature and protects the crop against water loss and pest infestation.

• Heavy, permeable soils with sufficient soil moisture ratio and optimal pH 6-7.5 are suitable. Broccoli also has high calcium requirements, so alkaline soils are unsuitable.

• The planting site should be well fertilized with organic fertilizers. To support growth, we apply multi-component fertilizers containing boron and molybdenum, as broccoli is sensitive to deficiency of these trace elements. Nitrogen doses should not exceed 20g/m². This would lead to nitrogen accumulation and thus storage of dangerous nitrates in the plant, making it unsuitable for consumption. In autumn, we apply manure to the plot, lime with dolomitic limestone, and add 6.5 g/m² P2O5 and 45g/m² potassium sulfate to the soil. Avoid fertilizers containing chlorine.

• In acidic soil, broccoli may be affected by clubroot. "Blindness" of broccoli heads can be caused by molybdenum deficiency. The cause may also be damage to the growing tip by cabbage root fly.

  Plants are attacked by flea beetles. Keep young seedlings moist (moisture discourages flea beetles) and covered with fabric.

Broccoli is also attacked by pollen beetle and cabbage seed weevil. Another pest is cabbage aphid. Infested leaves are twisted, yellowing or reddening. In case of cabbage aphid infestation, we recommend immediate destruction of post-harvest residues and immediate treatment of crops with insecticidal preparations.

Protection against powdery mildew and other fungal diseases with fungicidal preparations is also advisable.

• Harvest the main head as soon as it is firm and the buds are not yet open. Don't delay harvesting, or the head will flower. After harvesting the main head, side shoots will develop on most varieties. They are smaller but just as tender and tasty as the main head.