Can You Grow Broccoli Indoors?
Growing broccoli indoors can be an exciting, fun and rewarding way to garden. It is also more sustainable and cost-effective than buying produce from a store. Growing your own broccoli is surprisingly simple and can be done in any space, no matter its size or light conditions. Read on to find out how to get started.
To begin, understand that broccoli is a cold weather crop and does not tolerate high temperatures. Therefore, you will need to bring your plant indoors in warm Climates. Growing broccoli indoors is easier in a cold or temperate climate when the temperatures are cooler during the growing season. An added benefit of growing indoors is that it can be done year round regardless of the season.
To succeed in growing broccoli indoors, you first need to find a good container for your plant. A container that is 12-14 inches deep is deep enough; a larger container will just require more soil. You will also need to make sure that your container has good drainage. You can use a soil-less mixture, compost, potting soil, or peat moss, whichever you prefer. Having plenty of organic matter helps retain moisture and nutrients.
When it comes to light and temperature, your broccoli plant will need at least twelve to fourteen hours of light a day. Fluorescent lamps are fine to achieve this. The temperature should stay between sixty-five and seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit—any higher and you may find yourself with a leggy plant. Fifteen to twenty degrees cooler at night will help with bolting.
Watering is also important. To avoid root rot, make sure your broccoli is watered deeply but not overly, as this can lead to leggy plants. Allow the top three to four inches of soil to dry out before watering again. Make sure to mist the leaves with a spray bottle to keep the humidity levels up.
If your plant is outdoors in the summer, you will need to make sure that the soil stays at least moist and move the pot away from direct sunlight during extremely hot days. During the colder months, you will need to be extra vigilant about watering. Keep the soil moist but never saturated.
Finally, you will need to recognize when to harvest your broccoli. The heads should be large and firm as the florets begin to form. Many times the heads are ready in forty to sixty days after planting. You can extend the season even further if you cover the plants with shade cloth or a blanket during the later and colder months. With a little bit of effort and specific attention, you can grow your own broccoli indoors.
Choosing Containers
When deciding on a container for your broccoli, size matters. Another important factor to consider is the material used. Wooden containers are the most popular choice; they hold the soil in place and protect it from the elements. Plastic containers are a good option because they are lightweight; however, they have the potential to become too hot in direct sunlight.
Ceramic pots can be used but might not be as practical as other options. Metal containers are not as popular because pots made of metal canconduct heat in the summer. Regardless of the material, ensure that your container has enough drainage holes as to not have water retention in the soil.
Container gardening can be quite enjoyable and rewarding for gardeners, but the soil acts as the cornerstonefor a successful crop. A container mix will help with the moisture levels, providing enough moisture for the plant while also having great drainage. A loose soil mixture will allow the roots to be aerated and better uptake nutrients from the soil.
Ensuring that you have placed your container in the best spot is also important. Keep your plants away from direct sunlight, as the light can be too intense. Along the same note, either during summer or winter, it is important to consider any temperature changes when you are selecting a location for your container garden.
Lighting is another key factor to consider when growing broccoli indoors. Planting your container in the brightest window is essential to get the full succcess that your crops can give. Giving the plant access to natural light is important, however, in some cases,a grow light could be used to keep your crops looking healthy. In any case, plants require long periods of quality light to thrive.
Nutrients & Fertilizer
Every plant needs to be fertilized regularly in order to thrive — otherwise, they can suffer from low yields and soil imbalance. The soil needs to be fertilized appropriately and regularly, usually between two to three weeks. A balanced fertilizer is preferred, one with an equal combination of phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium will be helpful.
Soil tested can be taken to determine the level of acidity or alkalinity. A majority of the time, soil being too acidic or too alkaline is the reason why your crops are not thriving. To adjust pH — the measure of acidity or alkalinity — you will need to have a soil test done. You can use soil additives or fertilizers to balance out the levels.
Nitrogen is important for proper growth and is required to form large heads of broccoli. Broccoli is a heavy feeder and will need a plentiful supply of nitrogen throughout the growing season. Fish-based fertilizers can be very beneficial with growing broccoli indoors. Fish fertilizers will provide your plant with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for better growth.
Supplemental nutrients could also be given, such as calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. Broccoli requires a lot of calcium, a deficiency of which could lead to stunted plant growth or deformities in the florets. Magnesium helps promote healthy development, while sulfur helps regulate nutrient uptake.
Organic fertilizers can be used but may not provide sufficient amounts of nitrogen, an essential nutrient for all plants. Always take into account the fertilizers that you are using;using excess fertilizer can be damaging to the roots and the leaves of broccoli. Too much nitrogen can burn the leaves, and too much phosphorus can lead to nutrient deficiencies.
Pests & Diseases
Pests are, unfortunately, inevitable in any garden. As broccoli grows, it can attract leafhoppers, aphids, whiteflies, and various caterpillars. It is important to keep an eye out for any of these pests and act quickly if they are observed. Neem oil, beneficial insects, and hand-picking are great preventative measures to take when dealing with pests. Crop rotation can also go a long way in discouraging pests.
Fungal diseases like powdery mildew or downy mildew are also common in many gardens. It is important to be on the lookout for signs of these diseases and to act quickly. Avoiding excess humidity, removing any infected plants, and keeping your plants clean will help reduce your risk of fungi developing. Additionally, using disease-resistant varieties of broccoli could help reduce the risks of fungi and other diseases.
Harvesting your plants early can reduce the risk of broccoli bolting, a condition in which the plant produces a bitter taste and tough stalks. Broccoli will be ready to harvest when the heads are at least 6-8 inches in diameter and have a deep green color.
It is also important to monitor the soil conditions around the plant. Too much water or not enough water can cause the plant to become weak, sprout early, and rot. To prevent rot, ensure the soil is not overly moist and only water when the top 3-4 inches of soil are dry.
Growth & Harvesting
Once your broccoli has reached maturity, it is time to harvest. You can extend the harvest season with some simple tricks. First, consider covering the broccoli with shade cloth or a blanket during the later months to protect it from frost. Secondly, you can stagger your harvest over multiple weeks by planting another crop every two weeks or so.
Your plants will require some extra care when it comes to harvesting. When it’s time to pluck the heads off your broccoli, cut the stem at an angle about an inch below the head. Be mindful not to leave too much stem or too little stem as either option can inhibit the growth of the rest of the plant.
Once you have picked the heads, you can allow the plant to continue to grow and take care of any seedlings that pop up. Broccoli is a heavy feeder; you can apply a liquid fertilizer every two to three weeks or a granular fertilizer every
