Broccoli plants growing in open ground

Like most garden vegetables, broccoli loves sunshine and well-draining soil. Broccoli likes rich soil but doesn’t usually need to be fed regularly if the soil has been well-prepared with organic matter. Broccoli prefers neutral soil around pH 7.0 and full sun. However, if you live in a very hot region, your broccoli plants would appreciate some shade during the day.

Broccoli can be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 to 11. Broccoli’s relatively easygoing nature means you have a number of options on where to plant your crop, depending on the zone you live in, whether you have open ground that’s suitable for broccoli to flourish, and which varieties you plant, as some broccoli cultivars do better in the higher zones (8 to 11) than others.

The keys to having happy broccoli plants are sunlight, well-drained soil, and cool temperatures. If you can provide those three things, you can grow broccoli just about anywhere.

Raised beds and open ground

Broccoli plants growing in raised bed

A raised garden bed or planter is an excellent option for growing broccoli if you don’t have soil that’s ideal for broccoli (heavy clay soil, for example). Raised beds also help with drainage, which is essential for a healthy broccoli plant. You can even buy raised beds or build one yourself to fit your space.

Watering and weeding will be easier if you have your broccoli in a raised bed or planter. It’s a good alternative to growing in open land. And if you fill a raised bed with packaged garden soil, you’re providing a cleaner and healthier environment for your plants from the outset.

Packaged garden soil means less weeding than you’d have from digging a hole in the ground; and with a raised bed or container, there’s less bending down to do your weeding!

Broccoli is really a gardener-friendly plant, and it will grow well in open ground—as long as it has plenty of sunshine, good drainage, and the right pH (6.5 to 7.0).

How do you grow your broccoli—in open land, in raised beds, or in containers? Why do you prefer your method? Please tell us your tips and tricks for growing great broccoli!