UC Davis, Vegetable Research and Information Center Home Vegetable Gardening
Broccoli
(Brassica oleracea)
Recommended Varieties Disease Resistance
Green Comet AAS, H
Premium Crop AAS
Green Goliath
Green Duke
Green Valiant
Emperor BR, DM, HS
Packman
Broccoli matures in 60 to 90 days, depending on the time of year and the variety planted. Late
season varieties (those that overwinter) are not suitable for planting in the home garden. Broccoli
grows in most of the cooler areas of the state throughout the year. In the warmer interior valleys, you
can grow a fall crop and, sometimes, an early spring crop. If temperatures get too high, broccoli will
"bolt" into premature flower stalks that will bloom and go to seed.
The immature flower heads, parts of the attached small leaves, and a considerable portion of the
stem -- 4 to 8 inches -- are edible. Harvest before the flower buds open. One planting may produce
for as long as 3 months in the late fall or winter because of production from axillary shoots that
produce small heads after the main one is removed.
It is best not to plant Brassica family crops (cole crops, such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower,
brussels sprouts, turnips, collard and mustard greens,) in the same spot year after year, since
diseases and insect pests will build up. Rotate crops in your garden.
Nutritional Value
Serving size: 1/2 cup, chopped, boiled Primary Nutrients %RDA(m) %RDA(f)
Calories 22 Vitamin C 58 mg 97 97
Fat 0.3 g Folic acid 39 mcg 20 22
Calories from fat 11% Vitamin A 108 RE 1.1 14
Cholesterol 0 Iron 0.65 mg 6.5 4.3
Sodium 20 mg Vitamin B6 0.11 mg 5.5 7
Protein 23 g Magnesium 19 mg 5 7
Carbohydrate 4.0 g Riboflavin 0.09 mg 5 7
Dietary fiber 2.0 g % Min. Requirement
Potassium 228 mg 11
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UC Davis, Vegetable Research and Information Center Home Vegetable Gardening
Problem Diagnosis for Broccoli
What the Problem Probable Cause Comments
Looks Like
Irregular holes in leaves. Caterpillars (cabbage Bacillus thuringiensis is very
Chewed leaves. Small loopers, armyworms) effective.
seedling plants destroyed. Snails, slugs
Small holes in leaves Diamondback moth Bacillus thuringiensis is very
Chewed growing points in caterpillar effective. Older plants not
young plants. Loose damaged. Destroy weeds
cocoons about 1/3 inch (mustard type) before
long on leaves. planting.
Deformed, curled leaves. Aphids Use insecticidal soap spray.
Colonies of gray-green Control ants with sticky
insects on leaves. barrier or insecticide
Sticky honeydew. Encourage beneficials.
Distorted leaves turning Harlequin bug insects suck fluids from plant
brown. Wilted plants. tissue. Hand-pick bugs and
egg masses. Remove old,
nonproductive cole crops --
wild radish, mustard --
since they're alternate hosts.
Tunnels through roots. Cabbage maggot Prevent infestation. No
Plants fail to grow, may practical control when
wilt, die. Feeding tunnels maggots occur on growing
in germinating seedlings, crop. Seep. 5 1.
which fail to produce plants.
Stunted, willed plants. Cyst nematode Rotate. Do not plant
Leaves yellowish-colored. cole crops on same site year
Small, glistening white specks after year.
on roots.
Wilted plants. Swollen, Clubroot Caused by the Common in acid soils.
misshapen roots. Roots rot; fungus Plasmodiophora Add lime if pH is below 7.2.
plant dies in later stages. brassicae Rotate out of crucifer crops
for at least 2 years.
lrregular, yellowish areas on Downy mildew Improve air circulation.
upper leaf surface; greyish Tolerate it. Plant resistant
powder on undersides. varieties.
Heads suddenly split Improper watering Do not allow soil to get too
dry. If it does get too dry,
apply water slowly at first.
Bolting Physiological disorder Plant at right time.
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UC Davis, Vegetable Research and Information Center Home Vegetable Gardening
What the Problem Probable Cause Comments
Looks Like
Heads soft and rotted Bacterial soft rot Rotate; plant in well-drained
soil.
Leaves riddled with shotholes Flea beetles Control weeds. Use rotenone
with insecticidal soap.
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