Broccoli Seeds 6g

Broccoli, also known as calabrese (Brassica oleracea var. italica), is a member of the cabbage family grown for its dome of tightly packed green buds and its tender, edible stalk. Its fresh, mild and slightly sweet flavour makes it a kitchen favourite, whether steamed, stir-fried, roasted or tossed raw into crisp salads. As a cool-season crop, it thrives in Egypt's mild winters and rewards growers with a generous central head followed by smaller side shoots.

Planting

Broccoli grows best in the cool season at about 7-21 C, so timing is everything in Egypt. In the Nile Delta and Lower Egypt, sow September-October; in hotter Upper Egypt, shift sowing to October-November so heading falls in the coldest weeks. Sow seed about 2 cm deep. Germination takes roughly 10-21 days, with around 25 C as the ideal soil temperature. Raise transplants and set them out at four or five true leaves, spacing plants about 60-80 cm apart in rows a similar distance apart, in full sun.

Fertilizing

At transplant, give a starter or half-strength feed to settle the young plants. Once they are established and about 10 cm tall, side-dress with nitrogen to drive strong leafy growth. A second feed at midseason supports head development. On poorer soils, apply an organic high-nitrogen feed when plants reach roughly 20 cm tall.

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist, providing about 2.5-5 cm of water weekly, more on sandy soils, but never let it become waterlogged. Thin to one seedling per station. Watch for cabbage caterpillars, flea beetles, aphids and slugs, and rotate away from brassicas to limit clubroot and black rot. Harvest while the central head is full but still tight and firm, before any buds open into yellow flowers, typically at about 7-10 cm across; cutting it encourages side shoots for a second pick.