Due to its variability and centuries of clever breeding, the cabbage family has contributed numerous cultivars to the home garden. But sadly, most are easily beset by pests like cabbage worms, cabbage loopers, cabbage aphids, flea beetles, slugs, mites, and harlequin bugs.
If this is a particular frustration in your garden but you want your brassicas, try growing broccoli. You may still suffer from insect predation, but it will be much less than you’d see with cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and the like.
Incidentally, scientists have developed pest-resistant versions of broccoli for commercial production that suffer even less predation. However, be forewarned that they contain the same Bacillus thuringiensis genes that have made Bt corn so controversial among organic gardeners.
Broccoli Growing Reference Chart
| Life cycle | Technically a biennial, completing its lifecycle in two growing seasons. Most gardeners grow it as an annual to harvest before flowering to seed. |
| Plant type | Annual or biennial |
| Native To | Mediterranean region |
| Scientific Name | Brassica oleracea var. italica. |
| USDA Hardiness zone | 2-11 |
| Days to Maturity | 50-100 days |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun |
| Planting requirements | Well-drained soil, pH between 6.0 and 7.0, consistent moisture |
| Spacing | 18-24 inches apart |
| Planting Depth | 1/4-1/2 inch deep |
| Plant Height | 18-36 inches tall |
| Plant Spread | 18-24 inches wide |
| Water Requirements | Consistent moisture |
| Common Pests | Aphids, Cabbage Loopers, Cabbage Worms, Cutworms, Flea Beetles, Harlequin Bugs, Cabbageworms, Slugs, Snails |
| Common Diseases | Clubroot, Downy Mildew, Fusarium wilt, Powdery Mildew |
| Soil Requirements | Well-drained, pH between 6.0 and 7.0 |
| Soil PH | Between 6.0 and 7.0 |
| Companion Plants | Beets, Celery, Chamomile, Dill, Lettuce, Marigold, Mint, Nasturtiums, Onions, Rosemary, Sage, Spinach, Swiss Chard,Thyme |
| Popular Varieties | Calabrese Green Sprouting (Heirloom), De Cicco (Heirloom), Waltham 29 (Heirloom), Arcadia (Hybrid), Belstar (Hybrid), Gypsy (Hybrid), Marathon (Hybrid), Packman (Hybrid) |
| Attracts Pollinators | Honey bees |
| Time to Harvest | 50-100 days after planting |
| Planting calendar | Spring or fall depending on your location and climate |
| Cool Season or Warm Season Crop | Cool season |
What’s the next step to planting broccoli in your home garden?
We’ve got you covered! Check out these in depth articles on growing broccoli:
How to Grow Broccoli One of our own detailed growing guides.
Broccoli from Clemson University Cooperative Extension
Broccoli in the Garden PDF from Utah State University Cooperative Extension
Home Garden Series: Home Garden Broccoli from University of Georgia Cooperative Extension
I have experimented over the years – I don’t plant brassicas near each other, interplant with other veg and flowers, plant later in year when pests are not around for winter harvest.
When we moved to this large urban property the only edible plant was three old blueberries – lost much of crop to birds even with some netting until the perennials I planted started to flower and fruit – and now I plant lots of summer bird plants too. Hardly a berry lost – even noticed birds leaving strawberries alone.
Please help!! This year I found one of my cabbages had collapsed. Turning it over, I found a a black and off white 6 sided beetles. The rotting mess stunk! What is it and how do I treat to keep it from coming again next year??