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 From Italy (2,000 years ago) Broccoli (from the Italian plural of broccolo, referring to "the flowering top of a cabbage") is a plant of the mustard/cabbage family Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferae). It is classified in the Italica cultivar group of the species Brassica oleracea. Broccoli has large flower heads, usually green in colour, arranged in a tree-like fashion on branches sprouting from a thick, edible stalk. The mass of flower heads is surrounded by leaves. Many varieties of broccoli are perennial. Broccoli most closely resembles cauliflower, which is a different cultivar group of the same species. History Broccoli evolved from a wild cabbage plant on the continent of Europe. Indications point to the vegetable's being known 2,000 years ago. Since the Roman Empire, broccoli has been considered a uniquely valuable food among Italians Growing Broccoli Preparing the soil Broccoli is one of the most versatile of plants. They can be harvested from late summer to the following early summer depending on the variety. This vegetable will grow in almost any soil type that has been well manured. They do best in firm ground and benefit if planted in ground that has been used by such crops as potatoes, broad beans or early peas. If they are to follow any of those crops, the soil need only to be forked over and a dressing of fish manure with 10 per cent potash content at 4 oz. (120g) to the sq. yd. can be added, then the ground can be firmed down and made level. Unless the soil is already chalky, dress with carbonate of lime at 4 oz. (120g) to the sq. yd. It is important to remember that if a top dressing of lime is given, not to give nitrogen late in the season, as this will encourage soft growth and the plants will not be hardy.
Autumn varieties are sown in mid April but slightly later in the south. Sow winter varieties later, the spring ones can be sown a week or so after that. For very late broccoli the end of May should be fine. The time to sow is determined by the variety and the guidelines can be found on the seed packet. Narrow seedbeds are fine; they need not be wider than 3 ft. (90cm). Make drills about 6 in. apart and ½ in. (12mm) deep. The seed should be sown thinly, and then the soil is raked over the drill to cover the seeds and firmed over. Planting Plant out in June or early July in colder areas. The rows can be 2-½ ft. (75cm) apart with about 2 ft. (60cm) between each plant. Plant them firmly, up to their lower leaves is best. Make sure that they are well watered if the weather is dry. Garden centres sell sections of sprout plants ready for planting if you are short on time or space. Harvesting The leaves can be eaten anytime before the cabbage whites get to them. The purple sprouting type can be harvested in early spring, their small heads can be removed leaving new shoots to emerge. The calibrise type generally flowers earlier in autumn and onlt produce one main head. General Care Lightly hoe the soil during summer and keep the caterpillars and greenfly off in summer
Broccoli is usually boiled or steamed, but may be eaten raw and has become popular as a raw vegetable in hors d'œuvre trays. Although boiling has been shown to reduce the levels of suspected anti-cancer compounds in broccoli, other preparation methods such as steaming, microwaving, lactic fermentation, and stir-frying have not been shown to reduce the presence of these compounds. Nutritional and medicinal Broccoli is high in vitamins C, K, and A, as well as dietary fibre; it also contains multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties, such as diindolylmethane and small amounts of selenium. A single serving provides more than 30 mg of Vitamin C and a half-cup provides 52 mg of Vitamin C. The 3,3'-Diindolylmethane found in broccoli is a potent modulator of the innate immune response system with anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer activity. Broccoli also contains the compound glucoraphanin, which can be processed into an anti-cancer compound sulforaphane, though the benefits of broccoli are greatly reduced if the vegetable is boiled more than ten minutes. A high intake of broccoli has been found to reduce the risk of aggressive prostate cancer. Broccoli consumption has also been shown to be beneficial in the prevention of heart disease. Varieties There are three commonly grown types of broccoli. The most familiar is called "calabrese" in Great Britain and simply "broccoli" in North America. It has large (10 to 20 cm) green heads and thick stalks and is named after Calabria in Italy. It is a cool season annual crop. Sprouting broccoli has a larger number of heads with many thin stalks. It is planted in May to be harvested during the winter or early the following year in temperate climates. The heirloom variety "calabrese" available in North America is of this type. Romanesco broccoli has a distinctive fractal appearance of its heads, and is yellow-green in colour. It is technically in the Botrytis (cauliflower) cultivar group. Purple cauliflower is a type of broccoli sold in southern Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. It has a head shaped like cauliflower, but consisting of tiny flower buds. It sometimes, but not always, has a purple cast to the tips of the flower buds. Other cultivar groups of Brassica oleracea include cabbage (Capitata Group), cauliflower (Botrytis Group), kale and collard greens (Acephala Group), kohlrabi (Gongylodes Group), and Brussels sprouts (Gemmifera Group). Chinese broccoli (Alboglabra Group) is also a cultivar group of Brassica oleracea.[ Production Broccoli, raw (edible parts), 100 g Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) Energy 141 kJ (34 kcal) Carbohydrates            6.64 g Sugars 1.7 g Dietary fiber            2.6 g Fat      0.37 g Protein            2.82 g Water  89.30 g Vitamin A equiv.  31 μg (3%) - beta-carotene            361 μg (3%) - lutein and zeaxanthin            1121 μg Thiamine (Vit. B1)     0.071 mg (5%) Riboflavin (Vit. B2)     0.117 mg (8%) Niacin (Vit. B3)     0.639 mg (4%) Pantothenic acid (B5)            0.573 mg (11%) Vitamin B6            0.175 mg (13%) Folate (Vit. B9)            63 μg (16%) Vitamin C            89.2 mg (149%) Calcium            47 mg (5%) Iron     0.73 mg (6%) Magnesium            21 mg (6%) Phosphorus            66 mg (9%) Potassium            316 mg (7%) Zinc     0.41 mg (4%) Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults.  Sources: USDA Nutrient database flagstaffotosTrackback(0)
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  written by sallye, June 11, 2010
Here's a lovely soup I tried by Nick Nairn
Preparation time: less than 30 mins Cooking time: 10 to 30 mins Serves 2 Ingredients 1 tbsp olive oil 1 Garlic clove peeled and chopped 250ml/8¾fl oz chicken or vegetable stock (more if necessary) 200g/7oz broccoli florets salt and freshly ground black pepper drizzle cream, to serve Preparation method 1.Heat the oil in a saucepan and sauté the garlic for 1-2 minutes. 2.Pour the chicken or vegetable stock into the pan and add the broccoli florets. 3.Bring to the boil and reduce the heat and simmer gently for 10-12 minutes, until the broccoli is tender. 4.Season to taste, then transfer to a liquidizer. Blend until smooth. 5.Ladle the soup into serving bowls and drizzle with cream to serve.
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All about broccoli
Sowing the seeds
Culinary uses
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Broccoli growing almost ready for harvesting in the vegetable garden
Perhaps a few people get lucky on their first try, but most gardeners spend several seasons learning how to grow broccoli. This is because garden broccoli has more precise cultural requirements compared to other vegetables. On every level – timing, soil fertility, spacing, and pest management – broccoli’s rather exact needs must be met. But once you figure out broccoli’s secret formula for success, you can look forward to bountiful yields of this popular and nutritious vegetable.
Getting spring and fall planting times right is the first challenge. The GrowVeg Garden Planner will generate suggested planting dates for your area, but because broccoli is such a difficult child, you should watch each broccoli planting closely, keep records, and talk with your neighbors in attempt to discover the best dates for you. In my climate, for example, I have learned to start my spring crop indoors around March 1, and to start my fall crop around June 15 (this I learned from a more experienced neighbor). Equally important for Garden Planner purposes is the end date of my spring planting, which for me is July 7. Your exact dates will vary, but this is the kind of invaluable data you will need to grow broccoli like a pro. Nail your dates, add them as notes to your Plant List and GrowVeg will never let you forget them!
Netting brocoli seedlings is the best way to protect them from birds and the caterpillars of cabbage white butterflies
We also suggest sticking with 18-inch (45 cm) spacing, unless you are growing a miniature variety intended to be grown in close quarters. Although small seedlings may look lost when set out this far apart, they will quickly fill in the space. Crowding plants often leads to tiny heads and no production of sideshoots, or ratoons.
Of Birds and Broccoli
Most people don’t associate broccoli with birds, but studies from Egypt and the USA have shown poultry manure to be a superior fertilizer for organically grown broccoli. I have had excellent results using a processed turkey manure fertilizer to grow the Belstar variety, a hybrid that is widely available as organic seed
I spoil my garden broccoli with fertile, well drained soil with a maximum safe dose of turkey manure fertilizer worked in two weeks before planting, but I have use little or no mulch for my spring crop to reduce problems with slugs. This has worked out well though it means more weeding for me. With or without mulch, controlling weeds is essential to growing bumper crops of broccoli.
Cabbage white butterflies will lay eggs that quickly hatch into ravenous caterpillars. Broccoli beware!
I think that robins and other bug-eating birds help reduce problems with velvety green cabbageworms, larvae of the cabbage white butterfly. But they can’t do the job alone. I protect plants with row covers until they get too big, and then use spinosad, a biological pesticide, if I see evidence of cabbageworm feeding or the garden seems mobbed by cabbage white butterflies. It is incredibly effective.
Off With Their Heads
When little heads begin to form in the plants’ centers, I make sure my broccoli never runs short of water. On very sunny days, I use a wooden clothespin to fasten three or so leaves together over each ripening head, because too much sun can sharpen broccoli’s flavor. I cut the main head when the florets are still tight, cutting high on the stem so side shoots will have ample room to grow. The side shoots are usually ready two weeks after the main head is harvested.
Freshly cut heads of home-grown broccoli from the garden
Learning how to grow broccoli usually involves some trial and error, as is shown in Mother Earth News’ Survey of Most Productive Garden Crops. On a scale of 1 (low) to 4 (high), gardeners gave broccoli a 2.4 in terms of ease of culture, but rated it at 3.4 when it came to how much they wanted more garden broccoli in the kitchen. Behind those numbers, the truth is that broccoli is a crop that needs to be attentively courted before it will become your sweetheart.
[UK readers please note that green broccoli is often referred to as calabrese in seed catalogues and our UK Garden Planner to distinguish it from purple sprouting broccoli]