How to Grow Broccoli in Your Back Yard

© R. Mark Sink

How to Grow Broccoli in Your Back Yard

By R. Mark Sink

You probably think growing your own food is silly, but in fact, this is called "human function," and represents our ability to prove a form of custom that is derived from our mother earth, something we as humans are here to perform. I live around the 28th parallel, and if you want to grow food here, we being in late January, or early February. I've been eating broccoli for months by chopping off the blooming heads, and watching the plants put out new heads almost immediately following the pruning.

Broccoli is a wonderful organic food to add to other nutritional benefits in your daily meals. Whether you attempt growing from seed or not, your growing plants will need some nursing until they reach 8 to 10 inches in height. Broccoli requires a good portion of sun exposure during each day, a bit more than 4 to 5 hours, in which less sun will decrease the ability of the plant to produce. I had tried several different spots, and found that two of my plants excelled over all others, of course, next year, these spots are now going to be used again for the same plants after reworking to soil.

There are many different types of soil that can be either purchased, or collected and combined. I usually keep all my food scraps and continuously bury them in the garden spot somewhere. Creating compost in Florida is not recommended because of the intense moisture and flying insects, compost is very difficult to maintain. For this reason, burying compost type material is preferred, and then working the soil.

© R. Mark Sink

If you plan to buy your soil, you can easily find organic and compost enhanced varieties that work just fine, and by using bricks, or some type of fencing, you can build up the soil on top of the sandy base that predominates Florida.

After placing your plants in the ground, gently sprinkle water on them twice a day as though it were rain, as you are enticing the plants to realize a perfect environment. After they reach the above specified height, you'll need to start watering them more heavily each day in order to keep the leaves from loosing their water content, and beginning to droop, thus loosing efficiency.

Here is it May 11th, and I am still eating broccoli that was planted in January. This saves money that would be given away to Big Ag who thinks we must continuously forgo our ability to live sustainably without constant expenditures.

This is from the three plants in which did very well, although I have moved another one hoping it will do well over the next month or so, we'll see. Broccoli has recently been found to suppress tumor growth, among the many benefits offered from natural food.

The best tip I can provide is to use at least 6 inches of good organic soil, carefully place the plants at least 12 inches apart if possible, water them regularly, and then, walk out to the garden with a pair of scissors.

How difficult is that? You may want to ask yourself a simple question. Why do you give your hard earned money to Big Ag when it is not necessary? You will likely improve your health and cut back on the monopolization and production of genetically modified foods, and mass produce requiring your tax dollars as its secret funding.

Hmmm, looks like I have some cauliflower about ready. Enjoy your Saturday.