Broccoli

55 days to maturity. The delectable, tender stalks taste like a cross between asparagus and broccoli, only sweeter. Our favorite spring vegetable, this is a very easy-to-grow broccoli-like plant from China. We can’t get enough of the crisp stems and shoots, which are about as thick as a large asparagus shoot, with a perfect snap and crunch. Nothing goes to waste with this crop; all parts of the plant are delicious. The tender blue-green, glossy leaves are similar to kale but better, and the broccoli-like inflorescences are buttery soft and nutty in flavor. A must-have for those who long for broccoli but struggle to grow it, excellent for market gardeners as well. Yod Fah is a selection from Thailand that boasts good heat resistance. Not only is this vegetable a taste test winner, but also a nutritional superfood.

• 4-6 hours of Sun
• Sprouts in 10-14 Days
• Ideal Temperature: 60-80 Degrees F
• Seed Depth: 1/4"
  
• Plant Spacing: 8"
• Frost Hardy: Yes
  
• Brassica oleracea ar alboglabra
  

Growing Tips: Best planted in cool spring or fall conditions. Sow in place.

90 days. A nutritious, richly flavored and high-yielding broccoli rabe from Puglia region, Italy. This variety made more and bigger heads than others in our trials. We were astounded by the abundant yields of the delicious heads. Plants average 2-3 feet tall. This gourmet brassica is a delicacy in Puglia, where it is used in a range of dishes, often sauteed with garlic and drizzled with a bit of olive oil as a side dish or atop good quality bread. A famous Puglia dish is broccoli rabe with orecchiette pasta, simply sublime!

• 90 Days
• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 7-10 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4" - 1/2"
• Ideal Temperature: 60-80 F
• Plant Spacing: 12" 
• Frost Hardy: Yes
• Brassica rapa

Growing Tips: Sow very early indoors, or direct seed outdoors 2-4 weeks ahead of last-frost date and again in midsummer for fall harvest. Best in cool weather.

60-85 days. This delicious Italian-American heirloom produces 5- to 8-inch blue-green heads and many tender, succulent side shoots. Cooked, it has a buttery, soft texture and sweet, nutty flavor. It is a supreme choice for market gardening and home gardening alike. Hailing originally from Calabria, Italy, it was brought to America in the 1800s.

• 60-85 Days
• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 7-10 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4" to 1/2"
• Ideal Temperature: 60-80 Degrees F
• Plant Spacing: 12"
• Frost Hardy: Yes
• Brassica oleracea

Growing Tips: Sow very early indoors, or direct seed outdoors 2-4 weeks ahead of last-frost date and again in midsummer for fall harvest. Best in cool weather.

A sublime wintertime treat, this buttery soft, nutty-flavored broccoli from the U.K. can grow unprotected in zones 7b and warmer. Gardeners in cooler climates can grow this over winter in hoop houses or greenhouses. It is ideal for mild coastal or protected climates and produces lots of purple broccoli sprouts in the spring. Listed in John Mason’s seed catalog in 1793.

• 60 Days
• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 7-10 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4" to 1/2"
• Ideal Temperature: 60-80 F
• Plant Spacing: 12"
• Frost Hardy: Yes
• Brassica oleracea

Growing Tips: Needs overwintering to produce florets. Direct sow in midsummer for florets the following spring in full sun or light summer shade. Hardy to about 18 F.

An Italian non-heading broccoli grown for flavorful, asparagus-like spring shoots and leaves, it is great for cooking or in salads. High in vitamin A and so delicious!

• 45-60 Days
• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 7-10 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4" to 1/2"
• Ideal Temperature: 60-80 F
• Plant Spacing: 12" 
• Frost Hardy: Yes
• Brassica rapa

Growing Tips: Sow very early indoors, or direct seed outdoors 2-4 weeks ahead of last-frost date and again in midsummer for fall harvest. Best in cool weather.

Standard type, produces 4-8 inch green heads that are nicely flavored. Compact plants also produce some side shoots. Introduced in 1954. A favorite here at the farm.

• 75 Days
• Full Sun
• Sprouts in 7-10 Days
• Seed Depth: 1/4" to 1/2"
• Ideal Temperature: 60-80 F
• Plant Spacing: 12" 
• Frost Hardy: Yes
• Brassica oleracea

Growing Tips: Sow very early indoors, or direct seed outdoors 2-4 weeks ahead of last-frost date and again in midsummer for fall harvest. Best in cool weather.