Broccoli is one of the most popular vegetables grown in home gardens Its versatility in soups, stir-fries, casseroles and more makes it a staple for many cooks Typically broccoli is grown as an annual, producing one large central head and then bolting. But did you know there are ways to grow broccoli as a perennial plant, harvesting multiple crops from the same plants year after year?
In this article, we’ll look at the possibility of perennial broccoli, including its advantages, best varieties to try, and how to get started. Let’s explore the intriguing concept of transforming broccoli from an annual to a multi-year producer in your garden.
Annual Versus Perennial Broccoli
Most broccoli varieties are annual crops, completing their entire lifecycle in one growing season Annual broccoli produces a large central head and sometimes small side shoots. Once the main head is cut, the plant bolts, flowers, sets seed and dies. To enjoy broccoli again, new plants must be grown from seed the following year.
Perennial broccoli has a longer lifespan, producing smaller, tender shoots over an extended period instead of one massive head. The plants can be cut back at the end of each season and will re-sprout the next spring. This eliminates the need to replant annually. Perennial broccoli is also known as sprouting broccoli due to its continual production of edible sprouts if left unharvested.
Advantages of Perennial Broccoli
There are several potential benefits to growing broccoli as a perennial rather than an annual:
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Eliminates the need to start new plants from seed each year. Mature plants will re-grow shoots and buds the following season.
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Provides a steady supply of broccoli side shoots over a longer harvest window compared to a single large head.
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Tender sprouts can be clipped for months from an established plant.
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Gets better with age, producing higher yields on mature plants.
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Reduces time, costs and labor invested in starting seeds and prepping beds annually.
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Ideal for lazy gardeners! Minimal effort required for continued harvests.
Best Varieties for Perennial Broccoli
While most hybrid broccoli varieties are optimized for large single heads in one season, some heirloom types are better suited for perennial production:
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Purple Sprouting Broccoli – Popular English heirloom with attractive purple heads. Cold hardy and cut-and-come-again.
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White Sprouting Broccoli – Delicious white sprouts on this hardy, reblooming variety.
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Nine Star Perennial Broccoli – Reliable variety that overwinters in cold climates.
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Red Arrow – Pretty reddish-purple shoots on this perennial broccoli.
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Late Purple Sprouting – Late season type ideal for cold climates.
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Green Magic – High-yielding green sprouts on hardy plants suited for perennial culture.
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Umpqua – Vigorous producer of blue-green sprouts in mild winter areas.
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Ruby Broccoli – Unique reddish color and good perennial ability.
How to Grow Broccoli as a Perennial
Growing perennial broccoli takes some patience but rewards you with long-lasting plants. Follow these tips:
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Select an appropriate perennial variety good for your climate.
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Start plants indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost. Harden off before transplanting outside. Space 18-24 inches apart.
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Allow the plants to mature and produce heads. Harvest the main head when ready.
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Remove any flowers or flower buds to encourage leaf and shoot growth instead.
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Continue harvesting side shoots through the first year. Leave some to grow.
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In fall, mulch plants to protect from hard freezes. Remove mulch in spring.
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Cut back any dead growth in early spring. New sprouts will emerge from the established roots and stems.
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Repeat this cycle annually. Mature plants will grow vigorously and produce more shoots each successive year.
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Divide congested plants in spring every 2-3 years to rejuvenate. Replant divisions to start new perennial patches.
Growing Conditions for Perennial Broccoli
Like standard broccoli, perennial varieties need full sun and nutrient-rich soil to thrive. They perform best in cooler temperatures. Some are hardy to minus 10-20°F while others require milder winters. Most types will prosper in zones 3-9. Give plants 1-2 inches of water weekly and fertilize lightly every 4-6 weeks. Monitor for pests like cabbage worms and aphids.
Harvesting Perennial Broccoli
One of the best aspects of perennial broccoli is harvesting over an extended season. Begin cutting tender side shoots 4-8 weeks after transplanting first-year plants. Use a sharp knife to cut shoots at an angle just above a leaf node. This encourages further sprout development.
For peak flavor and texture, harvest shoots when buds are fully formed but before flowers open. Sprouts will be slender and pinch-able. Remove spent shoots promptly to direct energy into new growth. Mature plants can yield sprouts for 4-6 months.
Enjoying the Bounty of Perennial Broccoli
The beauty of perennial broccoli lies in its continuous harvest over multiple seasons. Whereas annual broccoli offers one big burst, perennial types supply a steady stream of tasty sprouts. Simply sauté, steam or stir-fry the sprouts as you harvest them for instant nutrition and flavor. Their mild, sweet taste shines through in any recipe.
Give perennial culture a try – it just might make broccoli your new favorite perpetual plant! Let those plants live on year after year for less work and more harvests.
Conclusion
While most standard broccoli performs as an annual, some varieties can be grown as productive perennials. By selecting the right cold-hardy varieties, letting plants establish, and properly harvesting, gardeners can enjoy homegrown broccoli sprouts for many seasons from a single planting. Perennial broccoli delivers low-maintenance food production once mature plants are established. For gardeners seeking continuous harvests with less work, embracing broccoli as a cut-and-come-again perennial is certainly worth exploration.
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ediblegardens52 is about 52 weeks of edible gardening in coastal Southern California. I write about gardens, food, family, community and place.
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FAQ
Can broccoli plants survive winter?
What is the lifespan of a broccoli plant?
What do you do with broccoli plants after harvest?
What not to plant next to broccoli?
Is broccoli a perennial?
Generally, broccoli is a cold-weather annual vegetable. However, the cultivars ‘Nine-Star’ and ‘Purple Cape’ are great perennials. These are sprouting varieties of broccoli with elongated lobed leaves and broccoli sprouts. To keep your broccoli growing year after year, cut off the flowering stems before they go to seed.
Are vegetables annuals or perennials?
We tend to think of vegetables as annuals, while most types of fruits are perennials. However, there is much diversity in the plant kingdom, and many types of vegetables grow recurrently year on year. Some popular vegetables that grow as perennials include globe artichoke, garlic, asparagus, types of onions, and sorrel.
What vegetables grow as perennials?
Some popular vegetables that grow as perennials include globe artichoke, garlic, asparagus, types of onions, and sorrel. You can harvest these vegetables every year and then let them grow the following year again. In this article, you’ll learn about the best perennial vegetables to grow if you want to harvest them annually.
Are Tomatoes perennials?
Many perennial vegetables are commonly grown as annuals. For example, tomatoes (which are botanically fruits but used as vegetables in the culinary world) are a type of perennial plant. The reason tomatoes are grown as annuals is because the tropical nightshade plants can’t survive cold winters.
Is parsley a perennial or a yearly Plant?
The answer is neither. Although gardeners often grow parsley as an annual, starting with new plants each year, it is technically a biennial plant, meaning it takes two years to complete its entire life cycle. Most often, parsley seeds are planted in spring, and the plants die back in fall when cold temperatures arrive.
What is a biennial vegetable?
Biennial vegetables are plants that only grow for two years before dying off. For example, carrots are a type of biennial edible root plant. However, even these vegetables are grown as annuals because the roots are generally harvested every year.