Helping to foster healthy eating habits among children and adolescents in Tampa Bay
What is it?
Broccoli is an edible green plant in the cabbage family. Most often, the large flower head is the portion that is eaten.
Eating broccoli can help fight cancer, improve bone health, prevent the signs of aging, improve digestion, and protect from chronic disease.
Broccoli contains vitamin C, K and A, folate, and potassium.
Tips
The best temperature to plant broccoli is around 60-70 degrees F.
Broccoli requires a lot of sunlight, so make sure it is planted in a location that will allow sun to reach it. Be sure that it is not in the shadows.
Mulch will help keep temperature down.
Maturity takes between 50 to 85 days depending on the variety of broccoli seed.
Harvesting
Harvest the broccoli when the buds of the head are firm and tight, and before the heads turn into a flower.
If you see yellow petals, harvest immediately.
For the best taste, harvest early in the day before the soil heats up.
Store broccoli in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, and it can be frozen for up to a year.
