Broccoli, the closest relative of cauliflower, is surprisingly undemanding. This plant tolerates almost any conditions. The climate of our country is ideal for its cultivation. Let’s consider in more detail whether broccoli grows in the shade, and how to care for this type of cabbage.
What lighting does broccoli like?
The overseas vegetable began to be grown in beds recently, so it remains a secret for many that it likes the sun or the shade. Broccoli is a light-loving culture. It grows best on flat, well-lit areas. But in hot regions, she needs shading in the midday heat.
Does broccoli grow in the shade?
Most types of cabbage do not grow large heads in the shade. But not broccoli. It feels great in the light shade formed by low trees, tall crops and shrubs.
Legumes, cucumbers, and tomatoes are considered the best neighbors for her. To scare away pests, it is recommended to plant nearby herbs (rosemary, thyme, mint), as well as marigolds and calendula.
Broccoli begins to bloom less often in partial shade.
Cabbage blooms already at +25 degrees. Therefore, at the time of ripening of the heads in strong heat, it is shaded to lower the temperature. Shade is also needed for tender seedlings and young sprouts so that they do not burn out in the sun.
But at the same time, the shadow should not be continuous and thick. The green beauty needs 5-6 hours of direct sunlight per day. It is optimal if it is illuminated in the morning and evening, and hidden from burning rays at noon.
What else loves broccoli?
Both sun and light shade are suitable for growing broccoli. Lighting is not too important. It is more important to provide cabbage with the following factors:
- Fertile soil. Broccoli needs good nutrition for good growth. River sand, deacidified peat, humus or compost are mixed into the soil. Biohumus is also added to the hole before planting.
- Water. Broccoli loves water. It needs to be watered weekly, sometimes twice a week. At the same time, you need to pour at least 5 liters of water under one bush, and the entire ripening period is 8 liters.
- Feeding For a bountiful harvest, cabbage must be fed at least 4 times per season. The first feeding is done in the phase of 3-4 true leaves or 2 weeks after planting the seedlings in the soil. It responds well to green infusion and manure slurry. After the appearance of 15-20 real leaves, switch to phosphorus-potassium fertilizers and necessarily add ash. Feeding is repeated every 15-20 days.
- Ash. In order for the cobs to form, a sufficient amount of ash should be added to the soil – 1–1.5 cups per 1 square meter. meter. The plant is also dusted with ash to prevent cruciferous flea.
- Freedom. Broccoli has the property of greatly growing in width. The distance between the holes should be at least 50 cm. It is especially important not to thicken the planting when growing in a shaded area.
- Flipping Once every 1.5-2 weeks, you need to rake the ground to the bushes and cover the bare stem.
At the stage when a head the size of a walnut is formed, plants are fed with molybdenum fertilizer. Then the cobs quickly gain mass.
The undoubted advantage of broccoli is the high content of useful trace elements and the ability to produce 2 or even 3 crops. Until the end of October, small but incredibly tasty inflorescences are tied on the side shoots.
In general, broccoli has the same benefits as cauliflower. She loves the sun, high humidity without stagnant water, fertile soil. But you can plant it in light shade. Of all types of cabbage, broccoli is the coldest and shade-tolerant. But also “voracious”. Anything, but fertilizers, feeding and watering should not be neglected during its cultivation.