Video: Grow Organic Bug-free Broccoli
This video on how to grow organic bug-free broccoli is what I’d intended to shoot last week. That is, until our weather forecast started looking ominous! We had rain, high-winds, a bit of snow, and below freezing temperatures.
While I realize broccoli is a pretty tough crop, I just didn’t want to subject my lovingly-grown seedlings to that. I’m so excited to have gotten them in the ground because they are one of the most productive crops we grow.
Once again, I’m growing ‘Belstar’ broccoli. That is my favorite variety and the seeds are pretty easy to find online. I’m pretty sure that once you’ve grown them, they’ll become your go-to variety, too!
Here’s what you’ll find in my bug-free broccoli video:
- When I started the plants from seed and hardened them off
- How to prepare the soil and plant the seedlings
- What I fertilize them with at planting time and again two weeks later
- Bugs! As members of the cabbage family, broccoli can be bothered by aphids, slugs and cabbage worms. Learn how I deal with each challenge organically so I can grow bug-free broccoli
- I show you step-by-step how to cover a planting bed with row covers. This applies whether you’re growing in raised beds or right into the ground. I have more about that below
- Then I address the maintenance of the plants. This includes checking on them regularly and making sure they’re getting enough water.
- And last but not least, the importance of harvesting the heads regularly. I especially wanted to make sure new gardeners are aware the plants will produce over and over. It’s not a one-and-done deal!
What about row covers?
Using row cover is such a great way to keep most insects away from plants that don’t require pollination. Why? Rather than using even organic sprays, row covers act as a physical barrier to keep damaging insects away. I think it’s such a better way to approach insect issues. If I can keep them off the plants, I won’t have frustrating problems. Easy-peasy!
As I mentioned in this video, you can use either floating row cover or agricultural insect netting. The latter is my go-to product because it’s so durable and you can always see the plants through it. I have both types of row covers in my Amazon store, under the “Organic Gardening Products” category. As an Amazon affiliate, I do earn a small commission from purchases. However, this doesn’t have any impact on the price you pay.
Grow Vegetables Guide
Before we get to the actual video, I wanted to remind you about the Grow Vegetables guide on my website. When you click on that link, note that the page has a chart of crops. Each one goes to a specific guide to growing that crop. Broccoli is a cabbage family crop. Other crops include Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi, radishes, rutabagas and turnips. Each one of those crops has its own growing guide so be sure to check them out. They’re all geared to help you be successful!
OK, are you ready to learn how to grow bug-free broccoli? Here’s the video!
I hope you enjoyed this week’s video. Remember that I have all sorts of videos about vegetable gardening and organic gardening on my YouTube channel. Please make yourself at home!