Somewhere around last summer, I decided to try planting something new in my backyard vegetable garden, and, after a little brainstorming, this something new was…. Broccoli.
Frankly, I planted the vegetable with some high hopes and eagerness to see beautiful broccoli heads and harvest them. Weeks passed, but all I ever met with was utter disappointment.
Feeling frustrated and powerless, I dove deep into research to uncover common causes behind my broccoli’s failure to thrive and I was given answers that later helped me grow a lush harvest that filled my pantry with fresh, delicious broccoli for months!
Here are 4 common reasons broccoli in the garden fails to form heads properly and what we gardeners can do to counter the issue!
Why Is My Broccoli Not Forming Heads? 4 Common Causes & Solutions
4 – Overly Warm Temperature Conditions
Broccoli is a vegetable that thrives in cooler temperatures. In fact, a light frost can help broccoli develop a better, sweeter flavor!
In overly warm conditions, broccoli has a tendency to bolt and not develop heads like it’s supposed to. Heat can also inhibit the vegetable’s ability to take up nutrients and resources from the soil which may lead to deficiencies and weaknesses.
How To Fix: Mulching and use of shade cloth during the hottest part of the day is the only thing that will protect your broccoli against heat damage. Watering more frequently as hot weather sets in can also help retain moisture which will prevent the vegetables from drying out.
Find out here how (and also when) to harvest broccoli.
3 – Underlying Root Rot Issues
Overwatering and excessive moisture can negatively affect soil drainage, especially if it isn’t already well-draining.
This excess moisture can lead to root rot issues that may present themselves in the form of poor overall broccoli formation.
How To Fix: To relieve your broccoli’s root system from unnecessary stress, try to improve soil drainage by incorporating things like compost and sand. Making changes to your watering schedule and water quantities can also help control moisture to curb future root rot issues.
2 – Poor Lighting Conditions
Broccoli needs plenty of light to develop properly. Full sun and a good 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight every day would be ideal.
Broccoli, unfortunately, isn’t a vegetable that can tolerate shaded conditions or lack of sun very well.
If you try to grow it somewhere where the sun doesn’t reach as effectively, get ready to deal with head formation problems and lack of vigorous growth.
How To Fix: Ideally, it’s better to just relocate your broccoli to a sunnier location in the garden. But, if that’s not feasible, using reflective materials to manipulate sunlight and direct it towards your broccoli can be a good option as well.
1 – Competition In The Soil
Overcrowding tons of broccoli in a tight space in the garden can result in poor growth as a whole, let alone around the vegetable’s head.
Plants, vegetables, trees, flowers, or anything planted too close to eachother in the garden can create competition for resources like water and nutrients.
As a result, no one plant receives enough to grow very well.
How To Fix: Allow whatever has grown to grow this year. Next year, however, make sure you give each vegetable adequate space to form properly, be it broccoli or anything else. A gap anywhere around 16 to 20 inches between each broccoli plant should ensure proper airflow and access to sunlight.
Find out here if broccoli regrow after you cut it.
Final Words
If your broccoli couldn’t form heads this year, don’t lose hope! Losing hope will only lead to the death of the crop. With the right approach and knowledge, you can grow them better next year.
Give a little more attention to factors responsible for broccoli’s head formation and make necessary adjustments where needed.
That’s the only formula for a bountiful broccoli harvest!