When to plant Broccolini in Subtropical Australia

Subtropical zone — applies to Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Coffs Harbour, Lismore and similar areas. Growing elsewhere? Temperate · Cool · Tropical · Arid.

Raise broccolini seedlings from February to May and transplant once the summer heat eases into autumn. Seed germinates in 5–10 days sown 5 mm deep, and plants reach cutting size in 60–90 days. Set transplants 30–40 cm apart in rows 40–50 cm apart so each plant has room to throw long, tender stems. A cross between broccoli and Chinese kale, broccolini loves the mild frost-free subtropical winter, so an autumn start around Brisbane or Coffs Harbour delivers a long run of sweet stems through the cool, dry months when pests are quieter.

Sowing calendar — subtropical zone

Green months are your sowing window: February to May.

Growing notes

Broccolini is grown for its slender flowering stems rather than a single head, and it crops generously across the subtropical cool season. The key is timing: start seedlings from February to May so plants bulk up as the weather cools rather than struggling through summer humidity.

As with all brassicas here, cabbage white butterfly and cabbage moth are the main threat, with caterpillars boring into the soft stems and leaves. Fit exclusion netting over the bed from transplanting to keep the moths out entirely, and hand-check for green caterpillars and yellow egg clusters on the undersides of leaves.

Give broccolini full sun, consistently moist soil, and a feed rich in nitrogen every couple of weeks to keep stems coming. Cut the first central stem while its buds are still tight, and the plant responds by pushing a flush of side shoots you can harvest over many weeks. In gardens around the Gold Coast and Lismore, an autumn crop keeps producing right through winter, so stagger a couple of plantings for a continuous supply.

Broccolini at a glance

Common questions

when to plant broccolini in the subtropics

Raise seedlings from February to May and transplant as summer heat fades. Plants then grow through the mild, frost-free subtropical winter, which gives the longest and sweetest harvest of stems.

how do I keep caterpillars off broccolini

Use fine exclusion netting over the bed from the day you transplant, blocking cabbage white and cabbage moth from laying eggs. Check leaf undersides each week and remove any green caterpillars or yellow egg clusters by hand.

does broccolini keep producing after cutting

Yes. Harvest the central stem while its buds are tight and the plant will send up side shoots for several more weeks. Regular cutting encourages more stems, so pick often.

how far apart should broccolini be planted

Space transplants 30–40 cm apart in rows 40–50 cm apart. This gives each plant room to produce long stems and keeps airflow up, which matters in humid subtropical gardens.

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