Can't you just start it indoors?

Dave

I can start it indoors for sure.. but we run on "swamp cooler" AC- a fan sucking up cold air from the basement- into my kitchen which is seeing increasing amounts of canning since the produce is coming in. And a couple window AC so my mom don't die from heat and my hubby computers don't die- his computers are his livelyhood.

So the house in general runs about 70-78 degrees plus humidity right now. Or at least all the indoor thermostats are reading this. Only place with enough sun inside is on the hotter end of the range. Right now my solarium- where I would normally start seed in late winter and spring, is hitting into the high 90's, running about 8-12 degrees hotter than outside.

I'm under the impression that this is a bit too warm and humid to start broccoli seedlings. But if I'm wrong, and broccoli can be started indoors now, that's all good.

I have not been successful growing broccoli indoors without a grow light. It gets VERY leggy... even with the grow light it needs to be very close. I am going to try direct seeding some this week myself.

I Have started broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and cabbage. We are in a string of triple digit temps. I put the seed beds in dappled shade. Don't have any problems . I expect nice stout plants to set in September. Been doing it this way since I came to Georgia over 20 years ago.

I agree that a shop light setup in your basement would be best for starting the broccoli. If you can find a short DTM type like Early Dividend (45) or even Packman (55) you probably have time if you start them NOW and plant out in about 1 month for harvest in mid to late October. Mature plants can easily handle temps down into the mid 20s and have better flavor when heading up in cooler weather.

I start my fall seeds outside in a semi shaded area. I have broc, cabbage kohlrabi started at 2 different times and will start putting in garden soon. I need to start another round maybe 2 more rounds of all of these.

I start broccoli and cauliflower in plastic pots on the picnic table in full sun...works for me. I set out the 'late' planting last evening. Keeping them well watered in hot weather does it for me...with excellent results.

Interesting Wayne. I would think the tender potted seedlings would cook in full sun. Do you use tulle or something to protect the young seedlings from the cabbage moths? I find the hardest thing to do when starting fall broccoli is to harden them off in the summer heat and it seems the cabbage moths find them the first day I put them outside so I either cover with tulle or spray with BTK.

I have not had any problems with germination because of heat/humidty. I started fall crop brassica about two weeks ago in seed bed and it's in 90s today. I just keep the watered well.

I've never thought of direct seeding brassica for fall but then I usually have bush beans, corn, or garlic in the planned beds until late June to mid July or so.

Sorry I didn't mean you had to grow them to transplant size inside, under lights, etc. Just that they usually germinate better and faster with the cooler soil temps you can maintain inside and they can then be moved outside to the shade and gradually hardened off to the heat and full sun of late summer. I get faster germination, no bolting, and better root growth that way. But whatever works.

Dave