Start broccoli seeds indoors April 1st at 77°. Days to germination: 5-8. Don’t let plants become potbound in their pots. Transplant outside May 1st, 18” apart. Or, sow broccoli seeds directly outside May 1st. Sow 3-4 seeds together in a group ½” deep, spaced 18” between groups. Keep seeds evenly moist until germination. Thin to the strongest plant in each group. Broccoli plants needs consistent water throughout the growing season. Protect broccoli plants from deer, groundhogs, and rabbits which will devour them. Broccoli plants may be eaten by European Cabbageworm (which is the caterpillar of the small white butterfly that flits around the garden). If they cause significant damage, hand remove caterpillars or spray organic BT.
Broccoli heads are the immature flower shoot. Harvest heads while still tight. If harvested regularly, De Cicco will produce a continuous supply of smaller shoots through the season.
Broccoli is difficult to save seed from. It is in the Brassica family so it is insect pollinated and cross-pollinated. It also suffers from inbreeding depression if you don’t save seeds from enough plants. Broccoli will cross with any Brassica oleracea that are flowering at the same time (kale, collards, cabbage, brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, cauliflower). Isolation distance: ½ mile. Minimum population size: 10-50 plants. To harvest seed, allow plants to flower and collect seed when mature.
Our Recommendations with De Cicco Organic Broccoli
