How to Grow Autumn Queen Broccoli

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Autumn Queen Broccoli

Brassica oleracea var. italica

vegetable

Autumn Queen is a cold-hardy broccoli cultivar bred for fall and winter harvests, known for producing large, dense green heads even in cool temperatures. It matures later than spring varieties but offers extended harvest seasons in temperate climates. This variety is popular among home gardeners for its reliability and impressive head size.

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Example Autumn Queen Broccoli timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Autumn Queen Broccoli
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Autumn Queen Broccoli
Around Jun 11

≈ 55 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Autumn Queen Broccoli dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6+ hours daily (tolerates partial shade in hot climates)

💧

Water: Consistent moisture, 1.5-2 inches per week; keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. More critical during head development.

📏

Spacing: 18 inches

📅

Days to maturity: 55-70 days from transplant (longer for fall crops due to cooling temperatures)

🌱

Planting depth: 0.5 inches for seeds; transplant at 4-6 week seedling stage

Soil

Type: Rich, well-draining loamy soil with high organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

compost aged manure nitrogen-rich fertilizer balanced 10-10-10 or 5-10-10 fertilizer

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 4-9, particularly suited for fall/winter production in zones 5-8

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

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Growth Stages

Seedling (Weeks 1-4)

4 weeks

Tiny cotyledons emerge, followed by first true leaves. Seedlings develop 2-4 true leaves before being ready for transplant.

Maintain 65-75°F soil temperature, provide 12-16 hours of bright light daily, keep soil consistently moist, thin to strongest seedlings, harden off before transplanting.

Establishment (Weeks 1-3 after transplant)

3 weeks

Young plants develop deeper root systems and additional leaves; plants are 4-6 inches tall with 6-8 true leaves.

Transplant into garden when plants are 4-6 weeks old, water deeply after planting, mulch around base, protect from strong winds, monitor for cabbage moths.

Vegetative Growth (Weeks 4-8 after transplant)

4-5 weeks

Rapid leaf expansion occurs, plant height reaches 12-18 inches, dense foliage develops. No head formation yet.

Maintain consistent watering, apply balanced nitrogen fertilizer every 2-3 weeks, remove any damaged leaves, continue pest monitoring, ensure adequate spacing for air circulation.

Head Development (Weeks 9-12 after transplant)

3-4 weeks

Central head begins forming as a tight cluster of flower buds. Head expands rapidly, reaching full size of 6-8 inches diameter.

Increase watering slightly during this critical stage, apply higher phosphorus fertilizer to support head development, check daily for pests (particularly imported cabbageworm), provide consistent temperatures.

Harvest-Ready (Week 13+)

Harvest period: 2-4 weeks

Head is fully developed, compact, and bright green with dense buds. Side shoots may begin forming after main head harvest.

Harvest main head when firm and before florets begin to separate, cut stem 4-6 inches below head, continue watering to encourage side shoot development for subsequent harvests.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Nasturtium Thyme Dill Chamomile Beets Celery Potatoes Onions

Avoid planting near:

Tomato Pepper Fennel Cabbage Cauliflower Kale Broccoli rabe Mustard greens

Common Pests

Use row covers on young plants, apply Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), hand-pick caterpillars, encourage parasitic wasps
Bt spray, spinosad, neem oil, hand-picking, floating row covers
Row covers on seedlings, kaolin clay, neem oil, spinosad, remove crop debris
Strong water spray, insecticidal soap, neem oil, encourage ladybugs and lacewings
Rotate crops, avoid acidic soil (maintain pH 6.0-7.5), use disease-resistant varieties, sanitize tools, remove infected plants

Uses

🍳

Fresh steaming & roasting

Culinary

Autumn Queen's dense heads are ideal for steaming whole florets or roasting with olive oil and seasonings. The compact structure holds together well during cooking. [source]

🍳

Soups & stir-fries

Culinary

Cut florets cook quickly and retain bright color in soups, stir-fries, and curries. The stems are also edible when peeled. [source]

💊

Sulforaphane & cancer prevention

Medicinal

Broccoli is rich in sulforaphane, a compound studied for potential anti-cancer properties. Raw or lightly cooked broccoli contains higher levels of this phytonutrient. [source]

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Nutritional supplementation

Household

High in vitamins C and K, fiber, and antioxidants. Autumn Queen provides excellent nutritional density for fall and winter diets when fresh produce is limited. [source]

🦋

Pollinator & beneficial insect support

Wildlife

If allowed to bolt and flower, Autumn Queen provides valuable late-season nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and parasitic wasps that control garden pests. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Harvest the main central head when it is 5-8 inches in diameter, still tight, and before florets separate (buds should be firm and unopened). Cut with a sharp knife 4-6 inches below the head. Autumn Queen typically produces multiple side shoots after main head harvest; continue cutting these for 2-4 weeks. Morning harvest after dew dries yields best quality. For fall crops, cooler temperatures actually improve flavor and extend harvest window.

Fun Facts

🌱 Autumn Queen was specifically bred for fall and winter growing in cool-season regions, making it significantly more cold-hardy than spring broccoli varieties—plants can tolerate light frosts and actually develop sweeter flavor after exposure to cold temperatures.
🌱 The term 'broccoli' comes from the Italian 'brocco,' meaning 'branch' or 'shoot,' as we harvest the flowering shoots (not yet flowers) before they bloom.
🌱 A single Autumn Queen plant can produce 2-4 pounds of broccoli over its harvest season—the main head plus multiple side shoots that emerge after the central head is cut, providing extended harvests through winter.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Cultivar Full Sun Mulch Partial Shade pH Transplant True Leaves

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