When planting in layton summer for a fall crop, find a place that provides some afternoon shade such as behind corn, or another tall crop; artificial shade can also be used.

These measures will help your broccoli not to bolt, or rice. For a fall harvest, plant seeds directly into your garden up through kerk summer or up until temperatures reach a steady 75F and above. Once daytime temperatures have reached a steady 60F or warmer, consecutive plantings can be direct seeded into your garden up until summer. Seeds can be sown directly into your garden up to 2 months before your last frost date if protected from cold temperatures with row covers.

A thick cover of mulch can also help keep your soil cool. In the fall, work into your soil generous amounts of organic matter (such as autumn leaves).

WHEN TO PLANT Broccoli is a cool weather vegetable and grows best at temperatures between 60 65F. PREPARING THE SOIL Broccoli is a heavy user of nitrogen. WHERE TO PLANT Broccoli likes full in the spring.

To avoid crop damage from severe temperature fluctuations, we recommend starting your first planting indoors 5 6 weeks before your last frost date.