Broccoli is a cool-season vegetable that most gardeners grow as an annual crop. The plant produces one large central head and then bolts and goes to seed. But did you know that with the right variety and care, broccoli can come back year after year? Here’s an overview of how to get your broccoli to grow back next year.
Choosing the Right Broccoli Variety
The first step is selecting a broccoli variety optimized for perennial growth. Most hybrid broccoli varieties are bred for high yields in one season. For repeat harvests look for open-pollinated heirloom varieties instead. Some good options include
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Waltham broccoli – an heirloom variety that produces plenty of side shoots after harvesting the main head
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Nine Star Perennial broccoli – bred specifically for perennial production in cold climates.
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Sprouting broccolis – produce many small heads instead of one large central head.
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Calabrese broccoli – easily reseeds itself for years of harvests.
Proper Cutting Techniques
With the right variety, proper harvesting and cutting techniques can encourage regrowth. Here are some tips:
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Cut the primary central head just above lateral buds to promote side shoot growth.
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Angle the cut to maximize the number of buds exposed.
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Leave about 5 inches of stem attached to preserve energy.
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Allow multiple side shoots to develop before harvesting.
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Cut side shoots above leaf joints for continuous regrowth.
Optimal Growing Conditions
To maximize broccoli’s perennial potential, provide optimal growing conditions:
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Sunlight – Broccoli needs at least 6 hours of direct sun daily.
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Soil – Well-draining, nutrient-rich soil keeps plants robust.
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Water – Consistent moisture is key, especially after cutting heads.
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Temperature – Cool weather (60-75°F) results in best flavor.
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Fertilizer – Use a balanced organic fertilizer every 4-6 weeks.
Overwintering Your Broccoli
In cold climates, overwintering broccoli plants is key to get them to produce year after year. There are a few approaches to overwintering:
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Heavily mulch plants in fall and remove mulch in spring.
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Cover with a cold frame or low tunnel over winter.
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Transplant into containers and overwinter indoors.
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Allow shoots to root in fall; new shoots emerge in spring.
What to Expect from Regenerating Broccoli
If cared for properly, broccoli can continue producing for 3-5 years. However, yields and head size tend to decrease each year. Expect:
- Year 1 – One large central head and many robust side shoots
- Year 2 – Numerous small-medium tender heads
- Year 3+ – Primarily small heads and shoots
The flavor of side shoots and later year harvests remains excellent, though. Overall, perennial broccoli delivers a lengthy, if smaller, fresh harvest.
Troubleshooting Poor Regrowth
If your broccoli isn’t regenerating well, a few issues could be to blame:
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Overharvesting – Cutting back too severely or harvesting too many shoots can deplete the plant’s energy.
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Incorrect cutting – Not cutting properly can hinder regrowth. Leave some stem and shoot bases intact.
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Weather – Extreme summer or winter temperatures can stress plants. Ensure adequate care.
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Poor care – Lack of sunlight, water, nutrition or pest management can limit regeneration.
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Age – After 3-5 years, yields diminish as the plant ages. Start fresh plants.
Enjoying Perpetual Broccoli Harvests
With the right variety, care, and cutting technique, it’s possible to get self-perpetuating broccoli harvests year after year. While not necessarily practical for large-scale production, perennial broccoli is a fun endeavor for home gardeners who love fresh-picked flavor. Give it a try in your own garden!
Frequency of Entities:
broccoli: 21
perennial: 8
side shoots: 5
overwinter: 4
harvest: 7
regrow: 5
cut: 7
Did you know you can grow broccoli like a shrub and have garden fresh veggies year-round? Here’s how
Most of the time, my lazy gardening habits hurt me, as I leave too many weeds and more vegetables than I care to admit. But, once in a while, they work in my favor.
Because I don’t like gardening, I was lucky enough to find out that broccoli and some close relatives like cauliflower and a few cabbages can be grown like perennial shrubs and give you fresh food from the garden almost all year long.
As of early February 2024, I’m writing this, I still have one patch of broccoli that started out as two seedlings in the spring of 2020. It’s still going strong, giving me a crop of large heads and small shoots every four weeks or so.
It turns out, a number of members of the brassica family — which includes broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, cabbages, and mustards — are actually shrubs that grow for years in their native Mediterranean habitat. While centuries of human cultivation and hybridization have made most vegetable garden varieties annuals or biennials, some can easily be coaxed to return to their wild, bushy ways.
How to Harvest Broccoli |Avoid These 3 Costly Mistakes!|
FAQ
Will broccoli grow a second head?
Can broccoli plants survive winter?
Will broccoli regrow after cutting?
How long does it take a broccoli plant to grow?
Some may be ready for harvest within a few weeks, while others may take longer to develop. It’s important to keep an eye on your plant and harvest side shoots as they become ready. This will help to ensure that the plant continues to produce new growth and that you get the most out of your broccoli plant.
Can Broccoli regenerating after being harvested?
Broccoli is capable of regenerating after being harvested. In fact, cutting broccoli can stimulate the plant to produce even more delicious and nutritious buds. When you cut the main head of the broccoli plant, it triggers the growth of new buds from the remaining stem.
How long does Broccoli grow after harvest?
If conditions hold up and the plant is happy and healthy, many types continue growing side shoots for several weeks following the initial harvest. Environmental conditions have the most impact on a plant’s health and, for broccoli, its ability to continue sprouting new shoots after the main head has been harvested.
Does Broccoli come back every year?
There are no varieties of broccoli that come back year after year. Broccoli is not a perennial plant, it has no USDA hardiness zones, and it needs to be reintroduced into the garden every year in order to continue cultivation.