Broccoli is often referred to as a wonder foods – with a great range of minerals and vitamins. Whether it is a wonder food or not, freshly cut broccoli from the garden makes for a very tasty vegetable accompaniment.

• To grow broccoli, sow in pots 7-9 weeks before the last frost. To protect roots during transplant, plant in 3 inch pots or decomposable cardboard. After hardening off, plant outside.
• Broccoli like full sun, though in hot climates, full sun may encourage them to go to seed. Therefore, they can still do well in partial shade.
• Like many other Brasicas, they like a steady growing environment. If possible shield from extremes of temperature. After planting be ready with some fleece to protect from prolonged period of cold nights.
• When the soil warms up, try adding a layer of mulch to keep soil moist and overheating.
• For best results, offer your broccoli a steady feeding and watering regime. Broccoli like 3-4cm of watering per week. For feeding try blood and bone meal or seaweed feed on a fortnightly basis.

Broccoli are fairly pest resistant, though you will need to keep an eye open for usual suspects such as slugs, pigeons and caterpillars. Diseases are rarely a problem, but, make sure there is a good crop rotation programme in order.

Broccoli Seeds at T&M

• Top Ten Vegetables
• Varieties of Brocoli