Comprehensive Guide to Keeping Broccoli from Bolting
If you’re a keen gardener, chances are you’ve encountered a problem when it comes to growing broccoli. Bolting occurs when a plant prematurely flowers and sets seeds before harvest time. This is a pesky issue that can ruin a crop of broccoli, and it’s something that experienced gardeners tend to be aware of. To help you navigate the potentially frustrating process of bolting in your broccoli, we’ve crafted the ultimate guide to keeping broccoli from bolting!
Understand What Causes Broccoli to Bolt
The causes of bolting in broccoli can often seem mysterious and unpredictable. In reality, there are several environmental and genetic factors that can influence bolting, and it’s important to understand each of these factors in order to take preventative action. Environmentally, temperatures that remain too high can cause a plant to bolt. This is because warm weather triggers floral hormones in the plant, which tell it to begin the flowering process. Bolting is also often a genetic trait of certain varieties of broccoli. Varieties of broccoli that are more heat tolerant are less likely to bolt under warm conditions.
Choose the Right Variety of Broccoli
The best form of defense when it comes to avoiding broccoli bolting is selecting the right variety for your climate and your garden. Cool season varieties of broccoli are known for their hot weather resistance; these varieties, such as Packman or Green Magic, tend to stay true to their harvest date and don’t bolt prematurely. Many also prefer to go with an early maturing variety, such as Early White or Diplomat, as these tend to have a shorter season and lower bolting risk. Broccoli grown in overly warm climates should try to find varieties with warm-weather tolerance, such as Atlantic or Eureka.
Space Your Broccoli Plants Properly
When planting broccoli, many gardeners often plant with too much crowding. Crowded broccoli plants have less access to nutrients and air circulation, which can lead to a greater chance of bolting. Spacing your broccoli plants is paramount; plants should have roughly a foot between them, as this allows for adequate air circulation and protects against bolting. Placing your broccoli plants too closely together can make bolting more likely, as can allowing your plants to become waterlogged.
Provide the Right Environment for Your Broccoli
Keeping your broccoli cool is paramount when it comes to avoiding bolting. The ideal temperature range for growing broccoli is 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit. Any temperature above this will cause your plants to become stressed, which can lead to bolting. While warm days can happen, providing shade can protect your broccoli and reduce the risk of bolting. Providing ample water is key; regular watering that keeps the broccoli consistently moist is best, rather than bursts of frequent watering. Additionally, adding a layer of mulch on top helps to keep the moisture in and regulate the temperature of the soil.
Fertilization and Weed Control
Fertilizing and weed control are also essential aspects of avoiding bolting in your broccoli. Fertilizing with nitrogen can benefit broccoli plants and prevent them from bolting, as broccoli needs a higher nitrogen concentration than most other crops. Additionally, keep an eye out for weeds, as these can compete for nutrients and promote botrytis, a type of mold that can contribute to the bolting of broccoli plants.
Harvest Time
Once your broccoli plants are around 18 inches in diameter and the heads have developed, it’s time to determine when to harvest. The primary driver of harvest time is the color of the head. If the head is still tight and unexpanded, then it’s best to wait. Broccoli is ready for harvest when the head is solid and the buds are dark green without yellow petals. Waiting until the buds are dark green reduces the risk of bolting, as bolting usually occurs when broccoli is overripe.
Checking for Bolting
If broccoli begins to flower, that means it has already started to bolt. If you spot tiny yellow flowers in the crown of the broccoli head, then you may need to throw it away and start fresh. It’s important to be timely when it comes to harvesting broccoli, as waiting too long can lead to hollow heads and bitter-tasting broccoli. To reduce the risk of bolting, it’s best to check your broccoli plants twice a week and to also remember the importance of spacing your plants properly.
Cover Your Broccoli Plants
For the last resort, you can also use a technique known as ‘cover cropping’. This is when you cover your broccoli plants with row covers, which are lightweight blankets that fit over your plants. By doing this, you can provide extra shade and keep the plant cooler, which reduces the chances of it bolting. Additionally, you may be able to use floating row covers that are specifically designed for covering broccoli plants. These are helpful in keeping pests and wildlife away from the broccoli and provide you with an extra layer of protection.
Preserve Your Broccoli After Harvest
Once you have harvested your broccoli, the next step is preserving it. To maintain the quality of fresh broccoli, it’s important to keep it in the fridge or at temperatures around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Alternatively, you can blanch or freeze your broccoli if you need to store it for an extended period of time. You can also try fermenting or pickling your broccoli, as these methods of preservation are both delicious and extend the life of your broccoli.
Regular Care for Broccoli Plants
Taking care of your broccoli plants on a regular basis is key for avoiding unwanted bolting or over-maturing. To do this, be sure to maintain regular watering and nutrient levels. Provide your broccoli plants with adequate amounts of sun and check them for weeds, pests, or diseases regularly. If you spot any signs of these, take action right away to prevent further damage. Additionally, be sure to regularly remove any unhealthy leaves or stems; this helps to prevent further infection and prolongs the life of your plants.
Conclusion
Broccoli is a delicious crop that is worth investing in; however, it’s important to understand all the different elements that come into play when it comes to growing broccoli. To reap the rewards of a bounty of broccoli, consider carefully selecting the right variety for your climate, spacing your plants properly, providing adequate water and nutrients, and taking steps to protect your crop. Following these steps can go a long way toward ensuring a successful harvest of broccoli that will (hopefully!) remain free of bolting.
