When to plant Broccolini in Cool Australia

Cool zone — applies to Hobart, Canberra, Ballarat, Orange, Armidale and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Temperate · Subtropical · Tropical · Arid.

Raise broccolini seedlings from January to March for autumn and winter shoots, with a further sowing in November and December for spring. Sow seed 5 mm deep in trays and it germinates fast, in 5–10 days with warmth. Transplant seedlings 30–40 cm apart, allowing 40–50 cm between rows, once they are sturdy. A cross between broccoli and Chinese kale, broccolini matures in roughly 60–90 days and produces long, tender flowering stems rather than a single dense head, so you can crop it repeatedly as new shoots emerge.

Sowing calendar — cool zone

Green months are your sowing window: November to March.

Growing notes

Broccolini is well suited to the cool districts around Hobart, Orange and Armidale, where steady cool weather draws out its sweet, mild flavour. It is hardy against frost, so the summer-into-autumn sowings that mature through winter are the most reliable. Sow too late in spring and warming days push the plant to bolt before the stems reach full length.

The key failure mode is cabbage white moth, which targets this crop. Cover the bed with fine exclusion netting from the moment you transplant, keeping it in place all season. The caterpillars chew ragged holes in leaves and burrow into forming shoots, and by the time you see the damage the crop is often ruined. Netting stops the moths laying in the first place, which beats chasing caterpillars later.

Feed broccolini well. It responds to rich, compost-heavy soil and regular liquid nitrogen feeds, which keep a steady flow of shoots coming. Even moisture matters too: let it dry out and it will bolt or turn bitter. Cut the main stem while the buds are still tight, and the plant will reward you with a run of thinner side shoots over the following weeks.

Broccolini at a glance

Common questions

how long does broccolini take to grow

Broccolini matures in about 60–90 days from transplant in a cool climate. You harvest the long, tender stems while the flower buds are still closed. After the first cut, the plant keeps producing smaller side shoots for several more weeks.

do I need to net broccolini

Yes. Broccolini is a favourite of cabbage white moth, whose caterpillars can strip young plants quickly. Fine exclusion netting fitted from transplanting is the most reliable defence because it stops the moths laying eggs on the plants at all.

when to plant broccolini in Orange

In Orange, sow seedlings from January to March for a dependable autumn and winter harvest, when the cool weather keeps the shoots sweet. You can also sow in November and December for a spring crop, though it is more prone to bolting if the season warms quickly. Autumn sowings are the safer choice.

why is my broccolini bitter

Bitterness usually comes from heat stress or irregular watering, both of which push the plant towards flowering. Keep the soil evenly moist with a good mulch, and time your main crop to mature in the cool months. Harvesting the stems young, before the buds open, also keeps the flavour mild.

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