Fall Broccoli - When To Start It? When To Plant It?

[Bart]

I'm posting this now because I see that Farmer John is online (hopefully you see it!)

When do you start fall broccoli seeds?

And when to put plants in the ground?

As an experiment, I started some Sun King Broccoli seeds a few weeks ago and put the plants in the ground last weekend.  I'm starting some more seeds tonight, but I haven't quite figured out when it's too early or too late or just right to start the seeds.

Sun King is a heat tolerant variety and I harvested my last spring crops (second or third cuts of small florets) on July 12th!  I don't know it the heat tolerance will do anything for me in the fall, but I thought I'd try it with my first (and earliest ever) fall crop.

[farmer john]

Didn't see it until this afternoon...

ASAP at this point.

In general I prefer fall for broccoli as it has less of a tendency to bolt with the days shortening rather than lengthening. Just make sure not to let it dry out too much in the heat.

[Bart]

Thanks!

Are you talking about starting seeds ASAP, or putting plants in the ground ASAP?

[farmer john]

Either really. 

[Bart]

Thanks! Do you plant heat tolerant varieties now, or is that more of concern in the spring when will be forming heads in the hot weather?

[farmer john]

That is more of a concern when they are heading but it certainly can't hurt now (nor can a bit of mercy from the weather).