Water And Feed Your Broccoli Plants Like This For The Best Possible Yield
Elizabeth is a Permaculture Garden Designer, Sustainability Consultant and Professional Writer, working as an advocate for positive change. She graduated from the University of St. Andrews with an MA in English and Philosophy and obtained a Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design from the Permaculture Association.
Reviewed By DAN ORI
Dan has over 27 years’ under his belt caring for plants and gardens. Working as a Horticultural Instructor and Consultant, he draws on a diverse range of experience that includes working as a Head Gardener, Tree Surgeon, Garden Centre Trouble Shooter, and writer of academic papers. Dan has a Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture and is currently a candidate for the RHS’s most prestigious award – The Master of Horticulture.
Broccoli is a relatively easy crop to grow at home, but it is important to think about the conditions and care this plant requires in order to obtain the best possible yield.
Broccoli is a relatively hungry and thirsty plant, so watering and feeding are two key things to think about when it comes to their care.
Here are some key things to think about when watering and fertilising your broccoli plants:
- Water broccoli growing in the ground every 10-14 days or so in dry weather.
- Water broccoli plants growing in containers more frequently, making sure the growing medium does not dry out entirely.
- Try to water soil, not leaves, directing water to where it is needed.
- Reduce water requirements and add fertility with an organic mulch.
- When it comes to fertility, consider the plants’ nitrogen needs and how you can meet them in an organic garden.
Read on to discover more detail on the above…
When & How to Water Broccoli
Broccoli does require a moist but relatively free-draining soil or growing medium.
When growing in the ground, you will typically have to water broccoli deeply and well every 10-14 days in dry weather, which could be much sooner depending on your soil and local climate.
However, when growing in containers or undercover, you will have to water more frequently and take steps to make sure that the soil or growing medium does not dry out.
Remember, water requirements depend on a range of environmental factors, including sunlight levels and temperatures.
So, how much water broccoli requires will vary depending on the location, the season and precisely where it is growing.
Try to water as early in the day as possible and try to water the soil and avoid splashing it onto the leaves and other parts of the plants.
Keep water directed towards the roots where it is required.
Feeding Broccoli In An Organic Garden
Broccoli will do best in a fertile soil, rich in organic matter.
A good idea to take a no-dig approach to boost your yields of this brassica plant and reduce the incidence of any problems.
Mulch should be spread around, but not touching the stems of the plants, upon planting.
An organic matter rich in nitrogen will be ideal for these leafy vegetables.
Companion planting with nitrogen-fixing legumes, or by placing brassicas in the ground vacated by peas or beans in crop rotation, can help meet the nitrogen needs of these plants.
Where growth seems poor or when growing in containers, you can also give your broccoli a boost by feeding with an organic liquid plant feed, such as a tea made with grass clippings or compost.
If you keep the basics of watering and feeding in mind, you should not find it too much of a challenge to grow this popular crop.
