You should not plant broccoli and cauliflower together. If you do, the plants fight for the same nutrients and attract lots of pests. Instead, put these plants at least 3 feet (90 cm) apart. Companion plants can go in between to serve as a beneficial buffer. Onions, chamomile, rosemary, lettuces, and radishes all thrive near both plants. Broccoli and cauliflower are both rather difficult to grow, especially for beginners. Cauliflower is definitely the most demanding of the two plants.
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How Far Apart Do You Plant Broccoli and Cauliflower?
Space your broccoli and cauliflower plants at least 3 feet (90 cm) apart. The more space, the better really. These plants will fight for all the same nutrients since they’re both brassicas. They are heavy feeders, too. So, mix compost and aged manure into the soil before planting. Then, side dress with a balanced fertilizer throughout the growing season.
- Broccoli and cauliflower must stay at least 3 feet (90 cm) apart to grow well.
- As brassicas, they will compete for resources if spaced too close together.
- Both plants are heavy feeders that benefit from regular fertilizer treatments.
- Brassicas tend to attract the same pests, including cabbage loopers and aphids.
- Adequate spacing and organic pesticides can help minimize insect infestations.
Cauliflower and broccoli also attract the same pests, like flea beetles, cabbage loopers, and aphids. Spacing them far apart helps minimize the infestation severity. Organic pesticides can help as well, especially when applied early and often.
What Grows Well Next to Broccoli?
Onions, rosemary, chamomile, lettuce, radishes, nasturtiums, marigolds, and beets are all good companion plants for broccoli. Beets, radishes, and lettuce grow well next to broccoli without taking its nutrients.
- Your broccoli can benefit greatly from growing near certain companion plants.
- Broccoli helps beets, lettuce, and radishes thrive without the fight for nutrients.
- Marigolds and nasturtiums help keep cabbage loopers and other pests away.
- Pungent herbs, like rosemary, also help deter insects from bothering your broccoli plants.
- Onions and chamomile can help your broccoli develop a rich, robust flavor.
Nasturtiums, marigolds, and other strong-smelling flowers help deter pests, including cabbage loopers. Rosemary and other pungent herbs also serve as a great natural insect deterrent. Onions and chamomile, on the other hand, help improve the broccoli’s flavor.
What Grows Well Next to Cauliflower?
Cauliflower grows well next to lettuces, beets, chard, radishes, rosemary, thyme, marigold, and nasturtiums. The beets, chard, and radishes fill out the garden without taking resources from the cauliflower. Rosemary, thyme, marigolds, and nasturtium help deter pests, including flea beetles.
- Companion plants for cauliflower include lettuces, rosemary, and marigolds.
- Lettuces, radishes, and beets all grow well nearby without fighting for nutrients.
- Rosemary, marigolds, and other strong-smelling plants help get rid of pests.
- Cauliflower and broccoli have all the same companion plants.
- Fill out the space between your cauliflower and broccoli with their top companions.
Cauliflower plants share all the same companion plants like broccoli. So, it makes sense to separate the rows of broccoli and cauliflower with those plants. You must still pay attention to the planting needs of the companion plants when filling out your garden beds. For the best results, create a garden map on paper to work out the details before planting.
Is It Easy to Grow Broccoli and Cauliflower?
Broccoli and cauliflower are both challenging plants to grow well. They have heavy feeding needs, attract lots of pests, and are sensitive to environmental conditions.
- Broccoli and cauliflower are not easy to grow, especially for beginners.
- They are heavy feeders prone to attracting pests and sensitive to changing conditions.
- The plants need full sun conditions with temps in the 40–70°F (4–21°C) range.
- Brassicas also need sandy, well-draining soil that remains slightly acidic through the season.
- If you get any of the requirements wrong, your plants won’t produce a great harvest.
Both broccoli and cauliflower plants want to have full sun conditions. At the same time, they only thrive when it’s 40–70°F (4–21°C). Furthermore, they need sandy, well-draining soil that’s always slightly acidic. Get any of their conditions wrong and your plants won’t produce a good harvest.
Which is Easier to Grow: Cauliflower or Broccoli?
Broccoli is easier to grow than cauliflower overall. Cauliflower is more sensitive to temperature changes, especially in the seedling stage. Beyond that, the soil quality must match all its needs. If not, the plants grow small heads with minimal flavor.
- Broccoli is easier to grow than cauliflower.
- Cauliflower plants are more sensitive to temperature changes and poor soil quality.
- Without the right conditions, cauliflower won’t grow big heads by harvest time.
- Healthy cauliflower plants give back big time when you get their growing conditions right.
- Take lots of notes on what works as you try to grow cauliflower and you’ll eventually get it right.
Healthy cauliflower plants reward you for the extra effort. They add interest to the garden space with their bright, bold colors. Plus, the crisp texture of the well-developed heads leaves you eagerly looking forward to each harvest. So, do all you can to fulfill its needs and take notes on what works in your own garden. Soon enough, you’ll get the technique down pat.
Can You Plant Broccoli and Cauliflower Next to Each Other?
Never plant broccoli and cauliflower right next to each other. These plants want to stay at least 3 feet (90 cm) apart. Add a nice buffer by putting companion plants in between. Rosemary, lettuces, and marigolds all work well as companions.
- Broccoli and cauliflower will not grow well when planted right next to each other.
- The plants need to stay at least 3 feet (90 cm) apart if planted in the same beds.
- Add companion plants—like marigolds—in between to create a buffer zone.
- Cauliflower and broccoli are both challenging to grow right, but they’re worth the effort.
- Cauliflower is more difficult to grow overall than broccoli.
Although these plants are challenging, they’re well worth getting right. So, give them a try in your garden and see how it goes. Worst-case scenario, you’ll just have to try again next year. Remember to take lots of notes on what works and you’ll get it soon enough.
