For Alabama, looks like one would plant broccoli in February/March for an early summer crop, or July/August for a late fall crop — fall planting seems to be preferred. For best times, contact your county’s Cooperative Extension (see http://www.almanac.com/content/cooperative-extension-services ). If the plants are maturing in warm weather, you might provide shade cloth during part of the day, and keep the soil moist (but not soggy). For clay soils, test the soil pH and adjust as necessary so that it is between 6.0 and 7.0; a few weeks to months before planting (for example, as soon as soil can be worked in spring without compacting it, or in fall before spring planting), build the soil structure by adding organic matter, such as composted manure; use organic mulch to keep the soil from compacting and to keep it cool.
For Alabama, looks like one would plant broccoli in February/March for an early summer crop, or July/August for a late fall crop — fall planting seems to be preferred. For best times, contact your county’s Cooperative Extension (see http://www.almanac.com/content/cooperative-extension-services ). If the plants are maturing in warm weather, you might provide shade cloth during part of the day, and keep the soil moist (but not soggy). For clay soils, test the soil pH and adjust as necessary so that it is between 6.0 and 7.0; a few weeks to months before planting (for example, as soon as soil can be worked in spring without compacting it, or in fall before spring planting), build the soil structure by adding organic matter, such as composted manure; use organic mulch to keep the soil from compacting and to keep it cool.