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A head of broccoli growing among its large leaves
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When to plant broccoli in Prineville, OR

Start broccoli from seed indoors Mar 16–30, then plant the young plants in the garden in Prineville May 4 – Jun 8. For a fall harvest, plant again Jun 30 – Jul 14.

Moderate Plant young plants (starts)

Difficulty
Moderate
Sun
Full sun
Spacing
18 inches apart
Planting depth
Plant starts at the depth they grew in the pot
Frost
Handles light frost
First harvest
About 70 days after planting

Why these dates

Prineville's typical last spring frost is June 1. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop can go in about 4 weeks before that.

High desert and mountains. Central and high eastern Oregon. Frost is possible almost any month. Use row covers, wall-o-water or cloches for warm crops, and choose short-season varieties.

How to grow broccoli in Prineville

  1. Start seeds indoors Mar 16–30 in trays or small pots under a grow light or in your sunniest window. Or skip this step and buy young plants (starts) at a garden center.
  2. Harden off the young plants: about a week before planting, set them outside for a few hours a day, a little longer each day.
  3. Plant them in the garden May 4 – Jun 8, 18 inches apart. Plant starts at the depth they grew in the pot.
  4. Water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little every day, and mulch once the soil is warm.
  5. Plant again Jun 30 – Jul 14 for a fall harvest.
  6. Harvest: Cut the main head while the buds are tight and dark green. Side shoots follow for weeks.

Key numbers

Growing notes

What makes the difference in Northwest gardens, in plain language.

Soil and feeding

Broccoli is a hungry plant. Give it rich soil with a few inches of compost and a balanced vegetable fertilizer at planting, then a light side-dressing of nitrogen about a month later as heads begin to form. Aim for a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. Many Northwest soils west of the Cascades are naturally acidic, and liming toward the upper end of that range also helps discourage clubroot, a soil disease that causes swollen, knotted roots and wilting plants.

Why broccoli flowers early or makes tiny heads

Broccoli heads are flower buds, so anything that pushes the plant to bloom early ruins the crop. Stress is the usual cause: transplants left too long in small pots, a hard cold snap right after planting, or dry soil. The plant gives up on growing big and makes a small, early head that quickly opens into yellow flowers. Plant young, healthy starts, keep them watered, and harvest as soon as the head looks full with buds still tight. Fall crops planted in mid to late summer often give the best heads in the Northwest, because they mature in cool weather.

Worms, aphids, and harvest

The green caterpillars on broccoli come from the small white butterflies seen all summer. Insect netting stops them from laying eggs, and that's easier than picking worms out of the florets later. Gray aphids hide in the heads in late summer; check often and spray them off with water. After cutting the main head, leave the plant in place, since side shoots keep coming for weeks. Purple Sprouting is planted in summer and overwinters west of the Cascades for a spring harvest. Store broccoli unwashed in a bag in the fridge for about a week.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Prineville, OR?

Typically June 1. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 22. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Prineville.

Is it too late to plant broccoli in Prineville?

The spring planting window runs through June 8. If you miss it, plant again for fall from June 30 to July 14.

When should I start broccoli from seed indoors in Prineville?

March 16 to March 30, which is 7 to 5 weeks before the May 4 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

Why is my broccoli flowering before the head gets big?

The plant was stressed, usually by heat, dry soil, or being root-bound in its pot before planting. Once the yellow flowers open, the head won't improve, so cut it and eat what you can. Next time plant younger starts and keep the soil evenly moist.

Does broccoli grow back after you cut it?

Not a new main head, but most varieties send up smaller side shoots for several weeks. Cut the main head with a slanted cut, leaving the plant and its leaves in place. Keep watering and the shoots will keep coming.

How do I get rid of worms in my broccoli?

Soak cut heads in cool salty water for 15 minutes and the caterpillars float out. To prevent them, cover plants with insect netting from planting day. Organic sprays made from Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) also work on small caterpillars without harming people or pets.

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