Broccoli (Calabrese) (Brassica oleracea Italica Group)
2 sources cited · Verified
The short answer
- Plant
- Early April to late June
- Ready in
- 50–90 days
- Site
- soil pH 6.8–7.5
- Biggest risk
- White blister
In the UK, broccoli go in the ground early April to late June, and are ready to harvest 50–90 days after planting.
Broccoli (Brassica oleracea Italica Group) — Annual.
This crop carries an unusually heavy problem load: 2 diseases, 5 pests and 0 nutrient issues are documented for it, so most of the effort in growing it well goes into prevention.
Core growing advice on this page is checked against named horticultural and university-extension sources — see References.
Diseases
Pests
Quick Facts
| Factor | Value |
|---|---|
| Soil pH | 6.8 - 7.5 |
| Optimal growing temp | 15-24C |
| Minimum survivable temp | -5C |
| Time to harvest | 50-90 days |
| Drainage | RHS: firm, fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. |
| Lifecycle | Annual. |
| Edible parts | flower heads, stems |
At a Glance
Regional Planting Calendar
| Region | Sow |
|---|---|
| Southern England | early April to late June |
| Midlands derived | early April to late June |
| Northern England | mid April to late June |
| Scotland | mid April to late June |
Rows marked derived are interpolated between regions our sources do state, because no source we consulted gives a figure for that region specifically. They are deliberately wider to reflect that uncertainty.
Southern England - detail & sources
RHS: sow calabrese outdoors from April to June (or under cover March-April, but it does not transplant well in warm weather and is best direct-sown after April). Southern England has the UK's earliest soil-warming per Met Office, so the earliest end of this window applies here.
Midlands - detail & sources
DERIVED: interpolated about a week later than southern England for the earliest sowing, following RHS's April-June sowing method and the Met Office's documented south-to-north soil-warming gradient.
Northern England - detail & sources
RHS: sow calabrese outdoors from April to June. Met Office notes soil-warming and last-frost dates extend later further north, so a slightly later start within the RHS window applies here.
Scotland - detail & sources
RHS: sow calabrese outdoors from April to June. Scotland gets the UK's latest soil-warming per Met Office, so a slightly later start within the RHS window applies here.
Soil & Growing Conditions
Harvest & Storage
Broccoli Through the Season
References
-
Tier 1. Primary source for growing conditions, sowing timing, spacing, soil pH, harvest indicators, and named pests/diseases specific to calabrese (not purple sprouting broccoli).
-
Tier 1. UK south-to-north last-frost/soil-warming gradient, used to derive regional sowing timing from RHS's UK-wide sowing method.
2 independent sources are cited for this crop. Where they disagree - soil pH is the clearest case - every figure is preserved rather than averaged into false precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I sow broccoli in the UK?
In southern England, from early April. In northern England and Scotland, wait until mid April. Treat these as a guide rather than a fixed date — the governing rule is to sow only once frost risk has passed and temperatures are reliably warm enough.
When do I sow broccoli?
Sow early April to late June.
How long do broccoli take to grow?
Typically 50–90 days, depending on cultivar and growing conditions.
What soil pH do broccoli need?
A pH of about 6.8–7.5. That span reflects genuine variation between the authorities we cite rather than a single agreed figure — the References section lists each source's exact range.
What problems affect broccoli?
Our data links 2 diseases and 5 pests to this crop. See the sections above for each one and how to manage it.
Plan next season before the problems start
Most of the advice on this page comes down to timing and spacing — sowing at the right moment, rotating beds, and giving plants enough airflow. The UK Garden Planner lays your plot out month by month so those decisions are already made before the season starts.
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Last verified 2026-08-04
Tools That Help With This Crop
Use these links when the guide moves from reading into sowing, planting, watering, and keeping the crop healthy.
Plan the next step
Use the printable UK Vegetable Garden Planner to turn this guide into sowing dates, bed layouts, and weekly garden tasks.