Broccoli

Each time you save a seed from your garden or community, that seed has reprogrammed itself to adjust to local growing conditions. Thus, season after season, it should grow stronger, healthier and more resilient to pests and diseases. Here’s how to save seed from a broccoli plant:

• Start by selecting open-pollinated (non-hybrid) broccoli plants that have desirable qualities – healthy, robust, disease free, vigorous, large heads and long production period. Broccoli is self-sterile, so you need at least one other plant for cross-pollination and seed production – where possible, allow even more plants to flower for genetic diversity. If you’re growing other brassicas of the same species (Brassica oleracea), such as kale, cauliflower and cabbage, remove their flowers to prevent crossbreeding.
• Allow plants to fully mature and slowly bolt, producing tall stalks with small yellow flowers that develop into slender seed pods after they are pollinated. Let the pods dry naturally on the plant until they turn beige and brittle. Cut the stalks and hang them upside down in a dry, well-ventilated area for seven days.
• When completely dry, rub the pods between your palms over a large bowl to release the small, round seeds. Remove any remaining chaff by winnowing or use a fine sieve. Store seeds in a labelled (date, place and variety), airtight container in a cool, dry place. Viable five years.

For a winter gardening to-do list for your climate zone, get a copy of our Winter 2025 issue (OG 158) here.

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Broccoli