Bolting Broccoli

I knew when I started planting broccoli this season that I would have to brace for the summer. Broccoli is a cold weather crop, and prefers soil temperatures of 65F-75F.

Any warmer than that, and the broccoli will bolt or go to flower. That’s what happened to mine during the heat wave of last week.

It's a little disappointing. I removed the flowers early this morning and am looking at ways to keep the soil temperature below 75F. It’s difficult to do when the tote sits in the sun all day. I will move it to the shaded part of the deck and see if there’s any change.