If you have a plant that is still in its budding season, Broccoli plants will bloom for up to three months out of the year. Since the plant blooms for such a short time each year, it is important that you take good care of the plant. Keep the soil damp but not wet. Broccoli plants prefer a cool, shady location. Water your Broccoli plants well in the early morning and evening hours.
When you buy your broccoli plant, be sure to check for disease. If your plant is healthy, it should survive even just one year. There are a few diseases that can attack broccoli grown with just seeds. If you plan to grow Broccoli with broccoli seeds, make sure they are always grown in good condition.
When you dig up your broccoli plant, it is a good idea to get rid of the entire stem and leave behind the main root ball. Dig around the soil several inches deep, then move the entire pot upside down. If your soil is sandy, add a tablespoon of sand to every inch of your soil. This helps loosen up the soil so the roots can get a firm grip. After you’ve placed the main plant on top of the sand, cover the hole with some dirt, tamping the soil down securely, but leaving about half an inch of air in the hole.
Keep the plant in a shaded area indoors, but don’t keep it totally enclosed. Your broccoli plant needs light, so consider putting several containers filled with rich compost on a shelf or table in the kitchen. Turn the lights on and you’ll be able to watch your plant as it goes through its growing process. If your soil is still a bit damp, consider spraying the area with a water hose occasionally. Use rich compost to help soak up moisture, keeping the soil damp but not wet.
It is best to plant Broccoli with other young, healthy plants nearby, since the small shoots are susceptible to crowding. If you grow broccoli with other flowers or herbs, you may have to divide the plants when they bloom if they reach a certain size. Some flowers can be planted all year around; others may only bloom for one growing season. Some of the smaller shoots may even go on to produce flowers and leaves of their own. As broccoli grows up, it will produce tiny mushrooms that contain numerous seeds. These can be replanted each year and spread to fill the space between the bulbs.
Keep in mind that your broccoli plant will reach its full height in only a few years, so it is best to space it about six to twelve inches apart. Be sure to keep at least two rows of these, with each row being six to eight inches in width and four to six inches deep. Your carrots and radishes will provide you with the additional vegetables you need to complete the final step.