Start your next broccoli crop with five live Imperial broccoli starter plants. Skip the seed-starting stage and enjoy raising young plants through leafy growth to harvest. Give them a sunny garden bed, raised bed, or roomy containers and consistent care as they establish.
What you receive
- Pack size: 5 live starter plants
- Variety: Imperial broccoli
- Product: Young vegetable plants, not seeds or harvested broccoli
- Light: Full sun
- Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost
- Spacing: Approximately 18–24 inches apart
Plants naturally vary in height, leaf count, and appearance. They need transplanting and continued care before producing a harvest.
Arrival care
Unpack promptly and check moisture around the roots. Water gently if needed, allowing excess water to drain. Place plants in bright, sheltered light while they recover from transit. Gradually introduce direct sun, wind, and outdoor temperatures over several days before planting out.
When and where to plant
Broccoli is commonly grown during the cooler parts of the gardening season. Choose planting dates suited to your local weather and protect young transplants from temperature extremes. Harvest timing depends on planting date, plant condition, and growing conditions rather than a guaranteed number of days.
Prepare a sunny site with compost-enriched, well-drained soil. Allow approximately 18–24 inches between plants for foliage and air circulation. If using containers, choose large pots with drainage holes and enough room for the plants to develop.
Transplanting
- Moisten the root area before planting.
- Handle plants gently and keep the root ball intact where possible.
- Set each plant at approximately its previous growing depth and firm the soil gently.
- Water thoroughly and monitor moisture closely while plants establish.
Growing care
Keep soil evenly moist, especially during establishment and head development, without leaving roots waterlogged. A light mulch can help conserve moisture and reduce weeds; keep it away from the stems. Feed according to soil conditions and the directions on a fertilizer labeled for vegetables.
Inspect foliage regularly for caterpillars, aphids, and other common brassica pests. Insect netting or row cover may help protect young plants where appropriate; check plants and temperatures underneath regularly.
Harvesting and kitchen use
Harvest the central head while it is firm and the buds remain tight, before yellow flowers open. Cut with a clean knife, leaving healthy lower foliage and any developing side shoots intact. Further production varies with growing conditions.
Wash harvested broccoli thoroughly before preparing. Steam, roast, stir-fry, or add to soups and other vegetable dishes. Refrigerate promptly if not using immediately.