Italian broccoli(Brassica oleraca) belongs to the brassica family. Its edible part is an unripe inflorescence called a rose.Broccoli is extremely he althy(famous for their anti-cancer properties), so it is worth introducing them to your diet. See more detailswhat nutritional and he alth properties do broccoli have , what does it look likegrowing broccoli on the plotand choose the bestvarieties of broccoli recommended for gardeners
Broccoli
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Broccoli - nutritional and he alth benefits
Broccoli is known for its high nutritional valuebut low in calories. They are a source of beta carotene, vitamin C, B6, folic acid and lutein. In addition, they contain many minerals such as potassium, magnesium and calcium.It is worth introducing this valuable vegetable into your diet , especially if you have vision problems or do a lot of sports, because it is also a great source of protein.Broccoli is high in vitamin K , which makes it good for bones and articular cartilage.
Broccoli tastes great and retains its intense green colorboth when cooked and frozen. Cooking, however, should not last too long so that the broccoli does not overcook (then it loses most of its valuable nutritional values). It is also recommended to be eaten raw and in this state it is the he althiest!
Good to knowBroccoli contains sulforaphane, which is considered to be a substance that prevents cancer (protects against cancer).in against breast and prostate cancer). However, in order to preserve the valuable anti-cancer properties of broccoli, it should be eaten raw. In this form, they taste good when dipped in cream or dip. If we do have to cook them, it should be as short as possible so that the broccoli is still crispy after cooking.
Broccoli - varieties recommended for gardeners
Broccoli can be grown on 4 dates : early spring, spring, summer and fall. For each growing period, we can findsuitable varieties of broccoli , with different planting of roses, strength of growth, leaf size and resistance to diseases and changing climatic conditions.
Among early broccoli varietiesit is worth recommending 'Sebastian' or 'Chronos'.
Broccoli variety 'Sebastian'is a fertile variety, intended for field cultivation from early spring to autumn. In spring, it forms roses 30-40 days after planting, in autumn after 45-50 days.Roses of this variety are convex, compact, dark green in color. It is suitable both for direct consumption and for freezing.
Broccoli
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Broccoli variety 'Chronos'is characterized by high resistance to low temperatures and diseases: powdery mildew of cruciferous and black rot and black of cruciferous.
Among the mid-early varieties, the broccoli 'Cezar' is worth recommendingfor spring and autumn cultivation in the field and in unheated foil tunnels. The roses of this variety of broccoli are tight, green, suitable for immediate consumption and for freezing.Another mid-early variety is' Bator'ybroccoli, which creates firm, shapely roses, suitable for both direct consumption and processing. It is resistant to changing climatic conditions.
Monaco F1 is a variety of broccoli recommended for late autumn and autumn harvesting . It creates dense, heavy and high-set roses. A characteristic feature of this variety of broccoli is the poor growth of lateral roses. Monaco F1 is great for freezing.
Recommended varieties of broccoliare presented in the table.
Broccoli - cultivation on the plot
Growing broccoli on the plotmake sure to plant it on fertile, humus soil with a slightly acidic pH (ideal for broccoli soil is 5.5-6.8) . Broccoli can not stand periodic flooding and prolonged drought.Broccoli should be grown in a 4-year rotationto prevent the multiplication of soil pathogens.A good forecrop for broccoli is : cucumbers, onion vegetables, nightshades and beans.
Broccoli is a vegetable that responds very well to fertilization . This is due to the fact that they have a large vegetative mass, which requires high nitrogen fertilization, properly supplemented with doses of phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur and potassium.
Broccoli
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When growing broccoli on the plot , it is worth using a known and valuable fertilizer that will reduce manure, which will provide these nutrients. On heavier soils, broccoli is planted 2-3 years after manure, on weak soils - in the first one.
Broccoli is grown from seedlings . The dates for sowing, planting seedlings and harvesting are as follows:
- Broccoli grown in early spring is sown in the 2-3 decade of February and planted permanently in April, while the harvest date is May-June
- In the spring growing season, we sow broccoli in the 2nd decade of March and plant in the 1st decade of May, while the harvesting starts in June and lasts until July
- In summer cultivation, sow broccoli in the 2-3 decade of April and planted in the 1-2 decade of June, harvesting begins in August
- In the autumn broccoli cultivation on the plot, we start sowing in the 1-2 decade of June, plant the plants in the 2-3 decade of July, and harvest from September to November.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
